Incredible Mastodon Mandible with Lower Tusks



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MUSEUM
  • Age:
    Pleistocene
  • Location:
    North Florida
  • Size:
    34 in
  • Species:
    Mammut americanum


This is an absolutely incredible and massive mastodon mandible (lower jaw) with the lower tusks intact. This is one of only a small handful of adult mastodon mandibles with the lower tusks that we have ever encountered. This specimen came from a very old, end-of-life animal likely 50-60 years old. Both m3 molars are intact and heavily worn. The alveoli for the m2s are almost fully calcified. The alveoli for the left m2 still has one root intact. The left m2 was found with this specimen and can be placed where it belongs but it is no longer held in place by roots, it can be seen in place in the third and sixth pictures. The right m2 was not found and had likely already been shed by the animal at the time of death. This is an awesome study specimen for the method that mastodons shed their teeth. The lower tusks are both removable from the jaw, they show an awesome wear pattern and are very beautiful in their own right. This specimen has very minimal approximately 5% repair, mostly to the left coronoid process and the symphysis. The right hemi-mandible has virtually no repair at all. It is exceptionally rare to find a mastodon jaw with the condyles still intact as this specimen has. This is an extremely rare specimen to be found in this condition. It makes a museum quality display specimen. This specimen is from a very old collection, pieces like this simply aren't being found anymore and are very treasured by the old-timers that still have them. This is an incredible piece, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.