Cainotherium Jaw Fossil Oligocene France Genuine Mammal Specimen with Certificate of Authenticity

Genuine Oligocene Mammal Fossil from France

Offered here is an authentic Cainotherium sp. jaw fragment fossil from France, dating to the Oligocene Epoch. This is a genuine prehistoric mammal specimen, carefully selected for its clarity, preservation, and scientific interest. The photographs show the exact fossil you will receive, ensuring complete confidence and transparency. Full sizing details can be clearly seen in the accompanying images.

This fossil is supplied with a lifetime Certificate of Authenticity, provided as a generic card, guaranteeing the specimen is genuine and responsibly sourced.

Geological Age and Environmental Context

The Oligocene Epoch spans approximately 34 to 23 million years ago and represents a critical period in mammalian evolution. During this time, global climates became cooler and more seasonal, leading to major changes in terrestrial ecosystems across Europe. Expanding open woodlands, floodplains, and river systems supported a diverse range of early mammals, many of which were ancestors or close relatives of modern forms.

France is particularly well known for its rich Oligocene fossil record, with numerous classic sites yielding exceptionally preserved terrestrial vertebrates. Sediments from this period commonly include fluvial and lacustrine deposits, ideal environments for preserving bones and teeth of land-dwelling mammals.

Fossil Type – Cainotherium sp. Jaw Fragment

Cainotherium is an extinct genus of small artiodactyl mammals belonging to the family Cainotheriidae within the order Artiodactyla. These animals are often described as rabbit-sized or hare-sized even-toed ungulates, adapted for agile movement and efficient browsing.

The jaw fragment offered here preserves key anatomical features that are characteristic of Cainotherium, particularly the structure of the mandible and dentition. Fossil jaws are especially valuable in mammal paleontology, as teeth and jaw morphology provide crucial information about diet, taxonomy, and evolutionary relationships.

Morphology and Notable Features

Cainotherium jaws typically display well-developed cheek teeth adapted for processing plant material, reflecting a herbivorous or mixed feeding strategy. The compact jaw structure and tooth arrangement illustrate adaptations to a terrestrial lifestyle in increasingly open environments.

The fossilisation of this jaw fragment preserves the natural texture and mineralisation of the bone, offering a direct glimpse into the anatomy of an early Oligocene mammal. These details enhance both the scientific and visual appeal of the specimen.

Scientific and Educational Significance

Cainotherium is an important genus for understanding early artiodactyl evolution in Europe. Fossils of this group help document the diversification of hoofed mammals following major climatic and ecological shifts at the end of the Eocene.

Jaw fragments such as this are frequently used in teaching and research collections to demonstrate mammalian dental evolution, feeding adaptations, and the use of fossil mammals in biostratigraphy. This specimen is well suited for educational purposes, private study, or as a reference fossil in a curated collection.

Collecting and Display Value

Oligocene mammal fossils from France are highly regarded among collectors due to their historical significance and scientific relevance. This Cainotherium jaw fragment represents a genuine piece of early mammalian history, preserved for tens of millions of years.

The fossil has been left in a natural state, without artificial restoration or enhancement, maintaining its integrity as a true scientific specimen. Whether displayed in a cabinet, used as a teaching aid, or added to a serious fossil collection, this piece offers lasting value.

Supplied with a lifetime Certificate of Authenticity and showing the exact specimen you will receive, this Cainotherium sp. jaw fossil is a rare and meaningful addition to any fossil or natural history collection, connecting you directly to life in Oligocene Europe.