Oreodont Jaw Fossil Oligocene USA COA Included

Description

Oreodont Jaw Fossil – Oligocene, USA

This authentic Oreodont jaw fossil is a beautifully preserved fragment from an extinct group of prehistoric mammals that roamed North America during the Oligocene Epoch, approximately 34–23 million years ago. Oreodonts are iconic fossils of the American West and are highly sought after for their scientific significance, distinctive dentition, and excellent preservation within Oligocene fossil beds.

You will receive the exact specimen shown in the photographs. A 1 cm scale cube is included to give a clear sense of size. Each fossil is carefully selected for clarity, structural preservation, and visual appeal.

All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens, and every purchase includes a Certificate of Authenticity.

Size (picture scale cube=1cm):  21 x 20 x 16mm (0.83 x 0.79 x 0.63 inches)

Geological Context – Oligocene of North America

Oreodont fossils are most commonly found in Oligocene-aged rock formations of the western and central United States. During this time, the region consisted of open woodlands, floodplains, and grassy savannas inhabited by a diverse assemblage of mammals, including early horses, camels, rhinoceroses, canids, rodents, and the Oreodonts.

The sediments that preserve Oreodont material typically include:

• Fine-grained mudstones and siltstones
• Volcanic ash layers that rapidly buried remains
• River-channel and floodplain deposits
• Paleosols (ancient soil horizons) rich in vertebrate fossils

These deposits created ideal conditions for the fossilisation of bones and teeth. In many locations, volcanic ashfalls played a major role in preserving delicate skeletal elements by swiftly covering them before weathering or scavenging could occur.

Fossil Type & Species Information

Oreodonts belonged to the family Merycoidodontidae, a group of herbivorous artiodactyls (even-toed hoofed mammals). They are distantly related to modern camelids and sheep, though they possessed a unique combination of anatomical traits that sets them apart from any living species.

Jaw fossils are especially prized because they preserve key diagnostic features, including:

• Distinctive cheek teeth with thick enamel and complex grinding surfaces
• Low-crowned molars, adapted for a mixed diet of leaves and soft vegetation
• Robust jawbone structure, indicative of strong chewing muscles
• Dental morphology that helps identify Oreodont genera and species

Oreodonts lived in herds and were common across Oligocene landscapes, making them an important part of North America’s prehistoric ecosystem.

Morphology & Notable Traits

Key anatomical features of Oreodont jaws include:

• Well-defined tooth cusps used for slicing and grinding plant matter
• Rounded molar surfaces, typical of browsing herbivores
• Durable enamel, which fossilises extremely well
• Symmetrical tooth rows, characteristic of artiodactyl mammals

The fossil may display a combination of molars, premolars, and jawbone fragments that illustrate the feeding adaptations of these animals.

Depositional Environment & Palaeoecology

During the Oligocene, climate conditions in North America shifted toward cooler and drier environments, leading to the expansion of open habitats. Oreodonts thrived in these environments due to their adaptable diet and herd behaviour. Fossil evidence shows they frequented:

• River valleys
• Woodland edges
• Scrubby grasslands
• Volcanic ash plains

These conditions contributed to their widespread preservation across formations such as the White River Group, John Day Formation, and other classic Oligocene sites.

Scientific, Educational & Collecting Value

Oreodont fossils are central to understanding:

• Mammalian evolution during the Paleogene
• Dietary adaptations in early artiodactyls
• Shifts in North American climate and vegetation
• Faunal communities of Oligocene ecosystems

Their distinct dentition makes jaw fragments ideal for educational collections, museum displays, and private collectors who appreciate well-preserved prehistoric mammal material.

Authenticity & Presentation

• 100% genuine Oreodont jaw fossil

• Certificate of Authenticity included

• Exact specimen shown in the photographs is the one you will receive

• 1 cm scale cube provided for accurate size reference

• Carefully selected for detail, preservation, and scientific value

This Oligocene Oreodont jaw fossil is a fascinating and scientifically important piece of North American prehistory—an outstanding addition to any fossil collection.