Specialty Fossil Skulls

Genuine High-End Fossil Skulls- Ron's passion is fossils, particular the large carnivores of the Eurasian Miocene. Over the years, Ron has collected numerous exceptional specimens from Gansu Province, China. This stunning collection of saber-cats, felids, hyenas are truly the best we have to offer! Now, after more than 7.0 million years of slumber, we are bringing these beauties into the light of day.

Please note the description of your selection and call (510) 526 - 5252 to purchase of inquire about similar or unlisted items.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Small Fossil Cat - Not Restored

Felis attica (Late Miocene, 7 - 12 m.y.a)
Found throughout Miocene Eurasia, Felis attica was among the smallest of the Miocene Felinae. Subfamily Felinae contains all of the modern cats, and this skull does illustrate that relation! About the size of a Modern Bobcat (Lynx fufus), but with a longer profile, this rare specimen is sure to be appreciated by fossil cat lovers.

Skull Condition: "Crushed”, Roughly prepped (lots of matrix left), No restoration. While this specimen is a full skull and is mostly intact, it appears that it was crushed while fossilizing. Much of the left back of the skull is sunken in and partially still covered in matrix (probably to keep it intact), especially around the ramus of the jaw, orbital’s, around the parietal plate, and all of the under side in back of the jaw. The left side is also missing most of the zygomatic and some of the socket bones in the eye. The right side is the more intact and exposed, including part of the auditory bulla, with only the eye socket and zygomatic not intact.

Teeth: All of the upper teeth are at least partially exposed and look fully intact aside from the M1’s which may be under the matrix. The bottom right c1 is fully intact, the left c1 is partially viable, and both p3’s & p4’s are at least partially visible and presumed all there under the matrix.

Click for larger photo	Click for larger photo
Click for larger photo	Click for larger photo
Felis attica 5.5" x 3.25" x 2.0" $1,000

Small Fossil Cat - Restored

Felis attica (Late Miocene, 7 - 12 m.y.a)
Found throughout Miocene Eurasia, Felis attica was among the smallest of the Miocene Felinae. Subfamily Felinae contains all of the modern cats, and this skull does illustrate that relation! About the size of a Modern Bobcat (Lynx fufus), but with a longer profile, this rare specimen is sure to be appreciated by fossil cat lovers.

15% Total restoration: Front of both mandible halves, portion of left maxilla covering root of c1, left zygomatic from mid orbital back to mandibular fossa, left postorbital process, small area on surface of left parietal, right glenoid process, right occipital condyle, terminal edge of both mandibular angles. Previous restoration to sagittal crest and inner side of right mandible (behind m1). Lower mandible is not detachable.

Replaced Teeth: Upper c1, i3 (left); upper i3 (right). Lower c1, i1, i2, i3 (Left); lower c, i3, i2, i1 (right)



Felis attica 5.0" x 2.5" x 2.0" $2,000

Fossil Saber Cat - Restored

Metailurus minor (Late Miocene, 7 - 12 m.y.a)
Metailurus minor was the smallest of the Chinese saber-cats, and is one of the least studied. Its similarity in size and shape to the modern Cheetah (Acinonychinae) has led some to theorize that cheetah's may be related to this extinct lineage. Metailurus minor (Late Miocene, 7 - 12 m.y.a)

This particular specimen is graced with near perfect auditory bulla and occipital condyles. Two small bones attached to the auditory bulla may be parts of the hyoid. In addition, this skull exhibits a unique pair of depressions on top that may have occurred at the time of death. Mandible is non-detachable.

15% Total restoration: Rebuilding of left zygomatic.

Restored Teeth: Upper p3, c1 (right); Upper c1, i2 (left) ; Lower c1 (right); lower c1 (left)



Metailurus minor 6.5" total length $4,000

Fossil Hyena Upper - Not Restored

Hyaenatherium wongii (Late Miocene, 7 - 12 m.y.a)
This fossil Hyena skull, Hyaenotherium wongii, is one of the medium sized Hyaenids that lived in Eurasia in the Late Miocene (5-11 m. y. a.). By the Middle Miocene, the Hyaenids had evolved into a large number of species, the smallest less than cat sized, and the largest as big as a lion. Most became extinct as the Miocene ended. The fossil is from Gansu Province, China.

Skull Condition: The skull is just an "upper" which means it is missing the mandible or jaw. It is missing parts of its zygomatic on both sides. There are also some chips missing from sagittal and occipital crests, and there is some missing bone on the right auditory bulla.

Teeth: All incisors and both canines are missing. Right P1 is missing most of its enamel, M1 has chips in enamel, and the P4 has a very slight chip. Left M1, & M2 both have some chips in enamel. All other teeth are pristine.

Click for larger photo	Click for larger photo
Click for larger photo	Click for larger photo

Click for larger photo

Hyaenatherium Wongii
7.5" x 3.5" x 2.0"
$900

Fossil Giant Hyena

Dinocrocuta gigantea (Late Miocene, 7 - 12 m.y.a)
This 15 inch skull is a marvelous example of one of the largest extinct carnivores to still have relatives among us, the giant hyena Dinocrocuta gigantea. Of the more than approximately 30 species of hyenas that roamed Eurasia during the Miocene, this was the largest of all. Dwarfing our modern day spotted hyenas, even surpassing the size of today's African Lions, this beast would have eaten almost anything it wanted. This is a juvenile animal, as evidenced from its emerging dentition.

<15% Total Restoration: Bone in excellent condition. Minor areas of repair include the zygomatic arches, the base of the right lower C1, and the edges of the sagittal crest. The largest area of restoration is to a break in the right mandible, just posterior to the M1. In addition, this skull comes with the matching axis vertebrate and a portion of the atlas.

Replaced Teeth: Upper right M1. The 33 other teeth are all original.

This specimen is not available any more, but we do have another pristine dinocrocruta specimen available right now. Please call (510) 526-5252 to inquire about this and other high end fossil specimens.



Dinocrocuta gigantea 15.0" total length *SOLD*

Fossil Bear

Indarctos lagrelli (Late Miocene, 7 - 12 m.y.a)
A fine example of one of the rarest of Miocene fossil carnivores. As big as a Polar Bear, but with substantially larger dentition, Indarctos lagrelli has rarely, if ever, been offered for sale in the U. S. We have never seen a better one than this. This specimen would provide an excellent basis for a complete skull cast of this species.

<10% Total restoration: Left zygomatic replacement from slightly behind post-orbital process to mandibular fossa. Rejoined break in right mandible. Sculpted left auditory bulla and occipital condyle. Minor fill-in to tip of left ascending ramus and outer edges of mandibular condyle. Minor cracks filled.

Restored Teeth:
Upper i1 (right) ; Upper i1, i2 (left) ; Lower i2, i3 (left) ; Half of lower m1 (Right).
All other teeth are original!



Indarctos lagrelli 16.0" total length *SOLD*

Fossil Fox

Vulpes sp. (Pliocene)
A rare example of an Asian canid, this beautiful little fox likely dates to the Pliocene. The late arrival of Canids in Asia makes this fossil particularly unusual and of interest to collectors.

<10% Total restoration: Restoration of zygomatics on both sides, minor fill-in to edge of sagittal crest, small area of postorbital process, portion of premaxilla, angular process of left mandible.

Replaced Teeth: Upper i1, i2 (left) ; upper i1, i2 (right) ; Tips of lower c1 (left and right)


Vulpes sp. 5.0" total length *SOLD*

Fossil Giant Racoon

Simocyon sp. (Late Miocene, 7 - 12 m.y.a)
Sometimes called the Giant Raccoon, Simocyon sp. is a rare find. Among its unusual characteristics are its severely reduced premolars--this species is missing the upper and lower first three premolars. The dental formula can be written as: 3/3, 1/1, 1/1, 2/2 for a total of 28 while the modern raccoon has 40. A truly unusual animal just waiting for the right collector.

15% Total restoration: Rebuilding of both zygomatics, restoration of right premaxilla, small area below left orbital, and portion of maxilla above left canine.

Restored Teeth: Upper i1, i2, i3, c1 (right); Lower c1 (right); lower i3(left)



Simocyon sp. 6.25" x 3.0 x 4.0" *SOLD*

Please Read Before Ordering

While we try to keep our web site up to date, there are times when it does not quite reflect our stock. So, please note the description of your selection and call ahead at (510) 526 5252. Even if the exact fossil is not in stock anymore, chances are we have another similar one that has not made it to the web site, or we can put you on the wish list for future acquisitions.

HOME

Insects Etc.