Mammoth Tooth Pleistocene Harpoon Point Florida USA Genuine Fossil Specimen | Authentic Ice Age Mammuthus molar with COA

Description

Authentic Pleistocene Mammoth Tooth – Harpoon Point, Florida, USA

This remarkable Mammoth Tooth Fossil is an authentic specimen from the Pleistocene Epoch, discovered at Harpoon Point, Florida, USA. Dating to between 30,000 and 10,000 years ago, it represents a section of the molar from a Mammuthus species, one of the most iconic Ice Age mammals. The photo shows the exact specimen you will receive, and the scale cube = 1cm provides an accurate guide to its size. Every detail of the fossil’s preserved anatomy reflects the power and adaptation of these great prehistoric herbivores.

Scientific Classification and Geological Context

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Proboscidea
• Family: Elephantidae
• Genus: Mammuthus
• Geological Period: Pleistocene Epoch (2.58 million – 11,700 years ago)
• Locality: Harpoon Point, Florida, USA

This fossil was recovered from Pleistocene riverine and alluvial deposits in Florida, an area famous for its rich assemblage of Ice Age megafauna. The depositional environment was characterised by low-energy freshwater sediments, where animal remains were buried in oxygen-poor conditions that promoted fossilisation through permineralisation. Over tens of thousands of years, mineral-rich groundwater replaced the organic material in the tooth, transforming it into stone while preserving its structural details.

Morphological Features of the Mammoth Tooth

The tooth of a mammoth is one of the most distinctive and scientifically significant fossils from the Pleistocene. Unlike the cusp-shaped molars of mastodons, mammoth molars feature parallel enamel ridges or lamellae, which were used for grinding down coarse grasses and fibrous vegetation.

This specimen displays the classic lamellar structure characteristic of Mammuthus columbi (the Columbian Mammoth), the dominant mammoth species in Florida during the Late Pleistocene. The tooth’s surface reveals alternating bands of enamel, dentine, and cementum, preserved in exquisite detail and mineralised into a mosaic of browns, greys, and creams. These enamel plates were part of an enormous molar capable of weighing several kilograms in life, enabling the animal to process the tough, abrasive plants of the Ice Age steppe.

In cross-section, the intricate patterning of the enamel plates provides valuable insight into the animal’s age and diet. The smooth mineral polish of fossilisation highlights these structures beautifully, making this both a scientifically important and visually captivating specimen.

Pleistocene Environment and the Columbian Mammoth

During the Pleistocene Epoch, Florida was a cooler and drier landscape than today — a mosaic of grasslands, river systems, and open woodland plains teeming with giant mammals. The Columbian Mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) inhabited these environments, alongside mastodons, giant ground sloths, saber-toothed cats, and prehistoric horses.

The Columbian Mammoth could reach heights of up to 4 metres (13 feet) at the shoulder and weigh as much as 10 tonnes. Its teeth evolved to endure constant wear from grazing tough grasses and sedges, and each molar would eventually be replaced up to six times during its lifetime. Fossils from Harpoon Point and other Florida localities are often found in fluvial and floodplain deposits, representing the remains of animals that died near ancient river systems during seasonal floods or droughts.

The mineral composition and fine preservation of this specimen indicate deposition in a silica-rich sedimentary matrix, typical of Florida’s fossil-bearing riverbeds. These geological conditions protected the fossil from erosion and preserved the enamel details that define mammoth identification.

Scientific and Collectible Significance

This Mammoth Tooth Fossil is an extraordinary piece of Ice Age prehistory and a perfect example of Pleistocene megafaunal adaptation. Its fine preservation allows for clear observation of the enamel plates, making it a valuable reference specimen for educational, research, or private display purposes.

Polished naturally by time and sediment, the fossil exhibits a dense, stone-like texture with the distinctive wave-like ridges of a mammoth molar. Its aesthetic appeal, combined with its scientific importance, makes it a true collector’s item and a tangible link to the vanished world of the Ice Age.

Authenticity and Provenance

All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and are supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity verifying their geological age and locality. Each piece is individually selected for its preservation quality and visual detail, ensuring that the fossil you receive is both scientifically meaningful and visually striking.

This Pleistocene Mammoth Tooth from Harpoon Point, Florida is a beautifully preserved relic of Earth’s Ice Age past — a stunning and authentic example of Mammuthus evolution, history, and natural artistry.