Woolly Mammoth Molar Value Guide

This fossilized Woolly Mammoth molar is a remarkable relic from the Pleistocene era, dating back 10,000 to 400,000 years. These teeth are highly collectible due to their unique adaptation for grinding silica-rich tundra grasses and their preservation in North American riverbeds.

What affects the value of Woolly Mammoth Molar?

• The completeness of the enamel plates and the overall structural integrity of the tooth.
• The quality of the fossilization process and the lack of significant crumbling or 'spalling'.
• The size and weight of the specimen, with larger, intact molars commanding the $150-$165 price range.
• The presence of any stabilization treatments used to preserve the fossil from cracking.

How to Identify Woolly Mammoth Molar?

• Look for the distinct parallel enamel ridges or plates characteristic of the Mammuthus primigenius species.
• Verify the presence of three distinct fossilized materials: enamel, dentin, and cementum.
• Check for a heavy, mineralized feel and natural staining consistent with US riverbed or permafrost recovery.
• Examine the grinding surface for the 'washboard' texture used for processing tough sedges.

History of Woolly Mammoth Molar

Woolly mammoths roamed the cold tundras of Europe, Asia, and North America. Their molars were uniquely adapted to grinding tough, silica-rich grasses and sedges. These teeth are often found in riverbeds or melting permafrost and are a primary source of information about the Pleistocene diet.