Natural History - Mammoth Tusk Section

Knightia alta specimen on a rectangular matrix. 427 grams, 18 cm



From Wyoming (Green River Formation), USA. Acquired during the 1980s. From the Pradi Collection, Boston, U.S.A.

In southwest Wyoming (and parts of Colorado and Utah) in the Green River Formation are found some of the world's most outstanding specimens of fossil fish. The Green River system was composed of three lakes: Lake Ulinta, Lake Gosiute and Fossil Lake. These Eocene lakes lay in a series of intermountain basins formed by geological events that uplifted the Rocky Mountains during the early Tertiary time. The climate was much different from the desert-like climate of this area today. Both the fauna (crocodiles, alligators, boa constrictors and some subtropical fish families) and the flora (such as large palm trees) indicate a climate much like that found along the Gulf Coast today. Large amounts of ash found in the sediments indicate that volcanoes were particularly active at this time.

From Coelodonta antiquitatis, comprising the upper part of the skull from the frontal bone to the top of the nasal bone. 4.85 kg, 68 cm



Found Oxfordshire, UK, clay pits. Acquired from Peter Lawrance, Cotswolds, UK, in 2002. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman.

The form of the woolly rhino’s skull and teeth had evolved to support its grazing lifestyle with its head dipped downwards towards the ground, even in its relaxed attitude. The skull is unusual in having both an extensively ossified nasal septum, probably evolved as a result of the heavy pressure on the horn and face when grazing, and a down-turned anterior region on the premaxilla that contacts the edge of the upper jaw. The shoulders were raised with a powerful hump, used to support the animal's massive front horn and also used for storing fat.

Comprising variously sized unpolished chunks in labelled bags. 983 grams total, 19-32 mm



From Mexico. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's).