East Asia / Western North America, Northern Pacific Rim region, Oligocene to Miocene, ca. 28.4 to 7.2 million years ago. A pair of teeth from the prehistoric creature Desmostylus, a large aquatic mammal that slightly resembled a small hippopotamus and lived in shallow freshwater and coastal environments. These are both molar teeth with a lobed morphology and circular cavities encased by dark black-gray enamel that attaches to pointed roots which have then fossilized within a calcified mass of shells fragments / seafloor debris. As the teeth indicate, this animal was an herbivore - foraging on aquatic plants and possibly mollusks according to some researchers. Although aspects of Desmostylus are similar to manatees and hippos, scientists have not discovered a close evolutionary relationship to any animal today! Size of large molar: 2.5" L x 1.5" W x 2.5" H (6.4 cm x 3.8 cm x 6.4 cm); stone matrix: 6" L x 3" W (15.2 cm x 7.6 cm)

Provenance: private Constance McCormick Fearing estate, Montecito, California, USA, acquired before 2004

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#181052

Smaller molar is reattached to the root, break line is nearly indiscernible and has some new material infilling the fissure. Some small fissures on the enamel, but overall great condition.