Description
Authentic Woolly Mammoth Tusk Fragment from the Pleistocene of Oxfordshire
This genuine Woolly Mammoth tusk fragment from Oxfordshire, United Kingdom represents an authentic piece of one of the most iconic animals of the Ice Age. The specimen belongs to Mammuthus primigenius, the famous Woolly Mammoth that inhabited large areas of Europe, Asia, and North America during the Pleistocene epoch. Fossils of this remarkable prehistoric elephant provide an extraordinary glimpse into the ecosystems that existed during the final stages of the Ice Age.
The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive, carefully selected for authenticity and preservation. Each piece includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, confirming that the fossil is a genuine Pleistocene specimen.
Please refer to the photographs for full sizing and scale of the tusk fragment.
The Species – Mammuthus primigenius
The Woolly Mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) was a large herbivorous mammal belonging to the Order Proboscidea and the Family Elephantidae, making it closely related to modern elephants. This species evolved during the Pleistocene and became highly adapted to cold environments associated with Ice Age climates.
Characteristic features of the Woolly Mammoth included:
- Long curved tusks used for digging through snow and competing with rivals
- A thick coat of hair adapted for cold glacial climates
- A layer of insulating fat beneath the skin
- High-domed skull and powerful limbs designed for supporting large body weight
Adult Woolly Mammoths could reach heights of around 3 to 4 metres at the shoulder, with tusks that often grew several metres long. These tusks were made of ivory composed of dentine, growing continuously throughout the animal’s life.
Tusks and Their Biological Function
Mammoth tusks were modified upper incisor teeth that grew outward in a dramatic curved shape. The tusks served several important biological functions, including:
- Digging through snow to reach vegetation
- Moving objects or clearing pathways through dense environments
- Display and competition between individuals
- Defence against predators
Internally, mammoth tusks display characteristic growth rings and layered dentine structures, similar to tree rings, which record the animal’s growth over time.
The fragment preserved in this specimen represents part of this impressive biological structure and provides a tangible connection to the anatomy of these Ice Age giants.
Geological Age – The Pleistocene Ice Age
This fossil dates to the Pleistocene epoch, a geological period spanning approximately 2.58 million to 11,700 years ago. During this time, the Earth experienced repeated glacial cycles in which large ice sheets expanded across northern continents.
The landscapes of Britain during the Pleistocene were dramatically different from today. Cold tundra and steppe environments dominated much of the region, supporting a rich assemblage of large mammals collectively known as Ice Age megafauna.
Animals that lived alongside the Woolly Mammoth included:
- Woolly rhinoceroses (Coelodonta antiquitatis)
- Steppe bison (Bison priscus)
- Giant deer (Megaloceros giganteus)
- Cave lions (Panthera spelaea)
- Early human populations
These ecosystems formed part of what is often called the mammoth steppe, one of the largest continuous terrestrial ecosystems of the Ice Age world.
Depositional Environment – Pleistocene Deposits of Oxfordshire
The fossil originates from Oxfordshire in southern England, where Pleistocene sediments have preserved numerous remains of Ice Age mammals. These fossils are often discovered within river gravels, alluvial sediments, and glacial deposits, where skeletal remains became buried during or after the animals’ lifetimes.
Over thousands of years, burial beneath sediment allowed the organic material of the tusk to gradually mineralise while preserving the internal structure of the ivory. Fossils from these deposits provide important evidence for understanding the fauna and climate of Ice Age Britain.
Morphology and Fossil Preservation
The tusk fragment in this specimen retains the natural characteristics typical of fossil mammoth ivory, including:
- Dense mineralised ivory structure
- Visible natural curvature consistent with tusk growth
- Surface textures created during fossilisation
- Colour variations produced by mineral absorption in sediment
These features illustrate the biological structure of mammoth ivory while demonstrating the fossilisation processes that preserved the specimen.
Collector Information
- Species: Mammuthus primigenius
- Common Name: Woolly Mammoth
- Fossil Type: Tusk fragment (fossilised ivory)
- Geological Age: Pleistocene Epoch
- Animal Group: Mammal
- Order: Proboscidea
- Family: Elephantidae
- Locality: Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
- Preservation: Mineralised fossil ivory
- Authenticity: 100% genuine fossil specimen
- Documentation: Includes Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card
This Woolly Mammoth tusk fragment from Oxfordshire is an impressive relic of the Ice Age and offers collectors a tangible connection to one of the most famous prehistoric mammals ever to roam the Earth. It is an outstanding addition to any Ice Age fossil collection, natural history display, prehistoric mammal collection, or educational geological exhibit focused on the megafauna of the Pleistocene epoch.
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