Fossil - Fragment of a tibia of a woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius)

Fossil - Fragment of a tibia of a woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius)

Pleistocene epoch, 150,000-20,000 years ago, North Sea .

A large and impressive fragment of a young woolly mammoth tibia. In good condition. Gorgeous dark brown patina. The bone has been treated with a protective layer of varnish. Age-appropriate heavy wear, fractures, cracks and repairs. The fragment measures approximately 330mm x 100mm x 70mm. Weight approx. 2027g.

The woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) is a species of mammoth that lived during the Ice Age. In size, woolly mammoths were in the same class as the largest land mammal alive today, the African elephant. Woolly mammoths lived in the vast mammoth steppes of the northernmost parts of Eurasia, which extended as an almost continuous grazing area from the Atlantic coast to Alaska. Mammoths lived in large herds on the steppes, led by an old female. The most common mammoth herd was 10 individuals. Males were not members of these herds, but lived a solitary bachelor life and only joined the herd when one of the females was in heat. The males were then very aggressive and fought fiercely with each other. The woolly mammoth was well adapted to the cold, arctic conditions. The mammoth had a thin woolly undercoat and a very thick outer coat of hair that covered the entire body. Mammoth numbers in Europe began to decline around 40,000 years ago, when modern humans arrived in the region. The final extinction occurred around 16,000-10,000 years ago.

Symbol meaning

Mammoths have fascinated people for tens of thousands of years. Above all, the woolly mammoth symbolizes strength, patience and endurance. Mammoths are considered to have been wise, gentle and all-around friendly giants who, when enraged, did not hesitate to use force to defend their herd. Mammoths have been a popular subject in ancient cave paintings and their bones were used to carve tools and important idols. Fragments of mammoth bones and teeth have been considered to contain ancient wisdom and deep knowledge. They also serve as a reminder of the fragility and uncertainty of life.

Note: Mammoth bones, teeth and their fragments are fragile. Fossils and ancient bones are natural products that are hundreds of thousands of years old, so each one is unique. As a result, colors, shapes, and brightness may vary. Condition ranges from fair to good and includes wear, fractures, and small chips typical of fossils.