Mammoth teeth were attempted to be sent from Ukraine to the U.S. as "artistic workpieces" for $10. Details and photos

Kyiv customs officers found in an international parcel the teeth of extinct mammoths that lived 305,000 to 130,000 years ago. They were attempted to be sent to the United States under the guise of "creative artistic workpieces."

This was reported by the customs press service. The cultural property was seized.

"Kyiv customs officers prevented the illegal shipment from Ukraine to the United States of mammoth teeth, mammals that became extinct several hundred thousand years ago. These paleontological specimens have cultural and scientific value. They tried to send them in international mail under the guise of "creative artistic workpieces" worth $10," the statement said.

It is noted that 6 heavy decorative plates of unknown origin were found in one of the parcels during customs control of international mail. The parcel was sent from Pyriatyn, Poltava region, to the United States.

Experts found that the parcel contained two molars from two different mammoths. Experts assume that the animals to which the teeth belonged were 15 and 50 years old. They lived in the Pleistocene era (before the Paleolithic), that is, 305 thousand to 130 thousand years ago.

Each tooth was cut horizontally into three parts, and all elements were decorated with resin. After these interventions, these specimens lost their natural cement and roots.

"According to experts, the findings of these teeth are valuable for studying the species diversity of mammoths in the Pleistocene of Ukraine. These specimens are not often found and have cultural, scientific, museum, and educational value," the customs added.

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