A Window into the Ice Age: Woolly Mammoth at Auction

One of the most well-known mammals of the Ice Age is the woolly mammoth, Mammuthus primigenius, whose distinctive appearance has almost come to symbolize life during that era. With their robust build, insulating layer of fat, and thick coat made up of dense underwool and long outer hair, these large animals were perfectly adapted to the harsh cold climate. Unlike modern elephants, mammoths had small ears to conserve body heat rather than lose it, and their long, curved tusks were likely used to shovel away snow in search of vegetation—males may also have used them in combat and competition for females.

We are now offering an exceptional woolly mammoth skeleton at auction on Thursday, May 8 at 1:00 PM.

In addition to being an impressive sight, this specimen is a rare and magnificent testament to a long-lost world. Some 11,700 years ago, mammoths like this one roamed the frozen expanses of the Northern Hemisphere. They traveled the icy landscapes in large herds, shaping the terrain and vegetation through their grazing. Furthermore, they left their mark on the age by interacting with other animal species as well as early humans in a shared struggle for survival.

Around 4,000 years ago, the mammoths disappeared—most likely as a consequence of climate change, which brought about shifts in vegetation, replacing grasses and herbs with trees and shrubs. On top of this, humans intensified their hunting of the animals.

In central and northwestern Siberia, Ice Age vegetation persisted for a longer time, allowing mammoths to survive there the longest. It is also the region where they are occasionally discovered—this auction’s mammoth specimen is one such find.

Well-preserved mammoth remains are now rare and highly sought after by collectors. But they are also of great interest to scientists, who study them to better understand the development of our planet. The mammoth’s teeth, bones, and tusks can offer new insights and knowledge in this ongoing research.

You can see the woolly mammoth during our preview from May 1–8 at Nørgaardsvej 3, 2800 Kongens Lyngby. During the preview period, we’ll be hosting inspiring talks, including a special presentation on May 3 at 1:00 PM titled: “Mammoth – Just a Big Elephant with Fur or a Key Part of the Extinct Megafauna of Steppe and Forest Landscapes?” by Jens Torsten Reddersen, biologist and senior consultant at Mols Bjerge National Park, and project leader for Djursland’s Prehistoric Animal World.

Everyone is welcome!