Molar of Early Miocene Elephant Gomphotherium

Description: Presented is an excellent fully complete molar of this early elephant genus. Note the difference in structure compared to a mammoth molar. Much of the original enamel is still displayed. The molar is solid and sturdy. There have been no preservatives used to consolidate the integrity of the tooth. Therefore it has no unpleasant odors or chemical sheen.

This molar was obtained many years ago when the import of Chinese fossils was not restricted. In the last few years the Chinese authorities have placed harsh restrictions on the export of fossils, making this specimen quite valuable.

Gomphotherium (pronunciation: gom-fo-THEER-ee-um) ("Welded Beast") is an extinct genus of proboscid which evolved in the Early Miocene of North America and invaded Asia, Europe and Africa after a drop in sea level (probably during the Tortonian epoch). It survived into the Pliocene, and its remains have been found in France, Germany, Austria, Kansas, Pakistan, China and Kenya. The 3 m (10 ft) tall creature, also known as Trilophodon or Tetrabelodon, resembled a modern elephant but had four tusks instead of two: two on the upper jaw and two on the elongated lower jaw. The lower ones are parallel and shaped like a shovel and were probably used as such. Unlike modern elephants, the upper tusks were covered by a layer of enamel. Compared to elephants, the skull was more elongated and low. These animals probably lived in swamps or near lakes, using their tusks to dig or scrape up aquatic vegetation. In comparison to earlier proboscids, Gomphotherium had far fewer molars; the remaining ones had high ridges to expand their grinding surface.