**Originally Listed At $950**

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Pleistocene era, ca. 1.5 to 1.2 million years ago. A large, fossilized tooth from the prehistoric Stegodon, a creature similar to modern day elephants. This tooth is a lengthy molar with prominent horizontal ridges for grinding up vegetation. The original chemicals of the tooth were replaced during the fossilization process with quartz (silica) and other minerals that have developed lovely hues of beige, white, blue-gray, and deep black. The rounded and smooth edges of the crowns are pleasingly tactile. This tooth has accumulated rich earthen deposits and has pebbles imbedded within the grooves, as the tooth was covered with sediment throughout the ages! Stegodon was believed to be an ancestor to mammoths and modern-day elephants, however recent studies suggest they may have been only a sister species to Elephantidae, and do not have any direct descendants. Size: 11" L x 4" W x 5" H (27.9 cm x 10.2 cm x 12.7 cm)

The distinctive teeth of the Stegodon, the name literally meaning "roofed tooth," quickly distinguishes it from other elephantidae fossils. Their long trunks reached into trees to tear off leaves and vegetation to grind up with their massive teeth- and the high crowns enabled it to chew very tough vegetation. They were larger than mammoths and could be 14 feet tall at the shoulders.

Provenance: private Hagar collection, Wildwood, Missouri, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#167931

Losses to root underside and chips to high pointed areas. No repair or restoration. Earthen and mineral encrustations throughout and pebbles within crevices!