Mammoth Tooth Polished Slice Pleistocene Harpoon Point Florida USA | Genuine Fossil Specimen of Mammuthus with Certificate of Authenticity

Description

Genuine Pleistocene Mammoth Tooth Polished Slice – Harpoon Point, Florida, USA

This extraordinary Mammoth Tooth Polished Slice is a genuine Pleistocene fossil originating from Harpoon Point, Florida, USA. The specimen dates back to the Ice Age, approximately 30,000 to 10,000 years ago, and represents a section of the molar from a Mammuthus species — the great extinct relatives of the modern elephant. The photo shows the actual specimen you will receive, with a scale cube = 1cm for accurate size reference. Expertly polished to a fine finish, this slice reveals the intricate internal structure of one of the most iconic Ice Age megafauna.

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 specimen originates from Pleistocene river deposits in northern Florida, a region renowned for yielding exceptionally preserved megafaunal fossils. The depositional environment consisted of alluvial sediments and riverine gravels, where fossilisation occurred through permineralisation — minerals from groundwater slowly replaced the organic material, turning the tooth into stone while preserving its fine structural details.

Morphological Features of the Mammoth Tooth

The mammoth molar is among the most recognisable Ice Age fossils due to its unique ridged grinding surface. Unlike modern elephants, whose teeth have fewer enamel ridges, the Mammuthus molar developed complex enamel plates adapted for chewing coarse, fibrous vegetation like steppe grasses.

This polished slice displays the characteristic lamellar enamel bands, visible as alternating layers of light and dark mineralisation. These bands reflect the tooth’s function — each ridge was part of a massive chewing surface that evolved for processing large volumes of vegetation in cold, open environments.

Under magnification, the specimen reveals a dense network of enamel, dentine, and cementum, arranged in parallel lamellae. This distinctive structure identifies it as belonging to a mammoth rather than a mastodon (whose molars have conical cusps). The natural mineral replacement during fossilisation lends the tooth its striking colouration — shades of brown, tan, cream, and grey that highlight the internal anatomy and sedimentary infill.

Pleistocene Ecology and the Mammoth in Florida

During the Pleistocene Epoch, Florida’s landscape was vastly different from today — a cooler, drier savannah dotted with grasslands, rivers, and marshes that supported large herbivores. Mammuthus columbi, commonly known as the Columbian Mammoth, was the dominant species in this region. Standing over 4 metres tall and weighing up to 10 tonnes, these giants grazed on tough vegetation, aided by their highly specialised molars such as this one.

Fossils from Harpoon Point and nearby sites in the Santa Fe and Suwannee River systems are particularly well-preserved due to the mineral-rich sediment and slow depositional processes. These fossils provide vital insight into the Late Quaternary megafauna of North America and the climatic shifts that contributed to their extinction approximately 11,000 years ago.

Preservation, Aesthetic, and Scientific Value

This polished mammoth tooth slice has been meticulously prepared to reveal the natural patterning of the enamel plates. The cross-sectional view highlights the rhythmic lamellar architecture — a stunning example of natural design enhanced by geological time. The polish brings out the contrast between mineralised layers, making it a visually captivating and scientifically important specimen.

Each fossilised tooth from this locality tells a story of adaptation, survival, and extinction — a tangible connection to the Ice Age megafauna that once roamed North America. Whether displayed as part of a paleontological collection or appreciated as a natural work of art, it stands as a remarkable representation of prehistoric life.

Authenticity and Provenance

All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and are supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity confirming their geological age and origin. Each Mammoth Tooth slice is carefully examined for quality and structural integrity before being prepared and polished by hand.

This Pleistocene Mammoth Tooth Polished Slice from Harpoon Point, Florida captures a moment in Earth’s deep past — a museum-grade specimen combining paleontological significance, geological beauty, and timeless historical value.