Woolly Mammoth or Giant Deer Phalanx
cf. Mammuthus primigenius (Woolly Mammoth) or Megaloceros giganteus (Giant Irish Elk) • Body fossil, Vertebrate, Pleistocene Mammal Bone
Geological Period
Pleistocene epoch (specifically Late Pleistocene)
Estimated Age
0.01 to 0.126 million years (10,000 to 126,000 years ago)
Preservation Type
Mineralization with significant iron and manganese staining typical of North Sea / Maasvlakte 'black bones'. The bone exhibits heavy permineralization, making it dense and stony.
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair. The bone is mostly complete in terms of its central shaft (diaphysis), but the articular surfaces (epiphyses) show significant water-worn erosion and abrasion typical of beach-found North Sea fossils.
Taxonomic Classification
Phylum: Chordata, Class: Mammalia, Order: Proboscidea or Artiodactyla
Morphological Description
A fossilized phalanx (toe bone), likely the first or second phalanx. Features include a distinct shaft, a concave proximal articular surface for the metatarsal/condyle, and a partially worn distal trochlea. The surface exhibits a dense, rugose texture characteristic of Ice Age megafauna.
Rock Matrix
None adhering, though its dark coloration and high density suggest it was submerged in a marine/estuarine clay or sand environment before being dredged or washed ashore.
Formation & Location
Maasvlakte 1 or 2, Rotterdam, Netherlands. These fossils are dredged from the North Sea floor and deposited on man-made beaches.
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 4 to 8 cm in length. This size is consistent with standard phalanges from larger Pleistocene megaherbivores.
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$30 - $75 USD
Auction Estimate
$40 - $80 USD
Rarity Assessment
Common. Phalanges and limb bone fragments are frequently found at the Maasvlakte and Zandmotor sites due to continuous beach nourishment and dredging.
Scientific Significance
Provides evidence of 'Mammoth Steppe' ecosystems that existed on the Doggerland land bridge connecting Britain to Europe during glacial periods. Useful for studying Late Pleistocene biodiversity.
Preparation Recommendations
Desalination is crucial for Maasvlakte finds to prevent salt crystallization. Soaking in fresh water for several weeks followed by consolidation with a reversible polymer like Paraloid B-72 is recommended.
Notable Features
The deep chocolate-brown to black patina is a diagnostic 'notable feature' of North Sea fossils, caused by mineral absorption from the anaerobic sea-floor sediments.
Notes
Maasvlakte