FINE AND RARE BABY WOOLLY MAMMOTH SKELETON - "AURORA"
Mammuthus columbi
Pleistocene
Alaska
The woolly mammoth is the most evocative character of the globe's last Ice Age, at its height in North America during the latter part of the Wisconsin stage, 26,000 to 13,300 years ago; the ice sheets that extended as far as 4 degrees south of today's U.S.-Canada border could reach over 2 miles in thickness. With its thick shaggy coat, the mammoth was not only able to withstand the frigid temperatures of its northern habitat, but has endeared itself to generation after generation, not least since the success of the Ice Age movie franchise. What could be more delightful, therefore, than one of its young? This fine and rare skeleton of a juvenile mammoth has been nicknamed "Aurora" for the Northern Lights visible from Alaska, where it was found. It was discovered by gold miners on a patented claim, using heavy equipment, under which circumstances such comparatively small bones are usually overlooked - indeed, it is hard to imagine a massive mammoth starting out this small. The skeleton is a composite and has some restoration, but is neatly presented, with fine bone texture throughout. Present are four large molars and three (of four) smaller front teeth found only in the young as the large heavy molars developed. Complete with a charming little pair of 2 1/2inch tusks, it makes for a delightful, unusual, and eye-catching specimen, mounted on a discrete metal armature and measuring approximately 34 1/2 x 46 1/2 x 15 inches overall.