National Museum of Banat exhibits woolly mammoth fossils

The National Museum of Banat has named a collection of woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) fossils as its exhibit of the month for September. The lot, which includes a mandible and two molars, was discovered in the bed of the Timiș River near the locality of Bazoș and was donated to the museum in 2024 by Tiberiu Fîntînă.

Scientific analysis of the fossils provides insight into the animal's life and adaptations. The molars functioned similarly to millstones, featuring parallel blades of enamel, dentin, and cement to grind tough vegetation. Due to intense wear, mammoths could replace up to six generations of molars throughout their lives.

If the mandible and molars belonged to the same individual, the absence of further teeth suggests it was a mature adult estimated to be between 40 and 60 years old. If they belonged to different individuals, the dental characteristics suggest younger adults aged 30 to 40. The discovery offers a glimpse into the Ice Age fauna that once inhabited the Banat region.