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Product Description
This is a RARE offering of an EXCELLENT QUALITY fossil tooth from a huge prehistoric crocodile from the famous region of the primitive human Homo erectus discoveries of JAVA MAN and SOLO MAN. It may seem difficult to believe that such a tooth could come from a large crocodile but consider this - skulls of massive crocodiles always have numerous small teeth mixed in their dentition. This tooth is complete with excellent enamel and fine preservation. A rare apex predator fossil set and ideal as a stand-alone specimen or even more intriguing alongside tools of the very humans that feared and worshipped with genuine Lower Paleolithic tools of Homo erectus.
HISTORY
Since the late 1800's, the prehistoric fauna of the Pleistocene Homo erectus fossil beds of Java have been well known and studied. Recent revisions to ancient crocodilian species aside, as of this posting, there are still unpublished discoveries of a massive crocodile in Java, based on remains collected by Eugene Dubois in the Early Pleistocene of Kali Gedeh. With a lower jaw approximately a meter long, estimates put this beast at an overall length of 6 to 7 meters (20 - 23 feet). Combined with discoveries of giant fossil crocodiles (Sarcosuchus) in Africa, these specimens demonstrate that some prehistoric crocodiles grew to amazingly enormous proportions. Based on numerous excavated Java Pleistocene fossils over the past century, we know that Homo erectus of the region, lived in dangerous co-habitation with Stegodon elephants and giant Java crocodiles.
The discovery of Java Man (Homo erectus) was the first time fossils of early humans were found outside of Europe, even pre-dating any African discoveries. Based on the fact that rivers were a critical source of survival to humans of all ages, it is most certain that crocodiles of this size, attacked and fed on the Homo erectus humans of the area. Something this size and dangerous was most definitely a "river monster" to avoid at all costs in the mind of Java Man. One can't help but wonder what their perception of such a terrifying predator must have been in their day. Even modern tribal societies that co-exist with river crocodiles have deep, cultural beliefs of respect and worship of crocodile "deities".
