Lot 1613
Mammal Deathtrap Assemblage. This large 17 x 11½ x 7½ inch original block of rock found in China's Gansu Province contains an amazing array of both carnivore and prey skulls and bones from the mid Miocene era. These early mammals were trapped in quicksand much like those found in the La Brea Tar Pits. Herbivores would get trapped, followed by carnivores, and all would sink to the bottom of the quicksand lake. This remarkable 10-15 million year old assemblage contains one complete 7 inch long upper and lower skull and several vertebrae of the extinct fox, vulpes sinensis, and also one 8 inch long near complete hyena sinensis skull, along with a second 5 inch partial upper skull. The prey include partial mandibles and a complete lower leg with foot bones from at least two extinct species of deer, as well as large vertebrae and a 5 inch long partial jaw of large 1 inch teeth from a very large rhino-like herbivore. Original museum quality blocks such as this are very rare as they normally are broken apart for the skulls.
Add $60.00 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,250.
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