We've recently added a sensational Carcharodon tooth fossil to our online collection
In almost pristine condition, this mega-tooth was excavated by divers in the Waccamaw River, which now flows across North and South Carolina, over what was once a vast, prehistoric sea bed.
The area is rich with fossils that have been preserved in the anaerobic silt of this 'black water' river.
The dark tannin colour of a black water river is the result of organic matter sediment that leaches from surrounding vegetation. These rivers are commonly found in forested areas with low nutrient levels.
The cold dark is the perfect environment to naturally preserve and fossilise the tooth, keeping it safe from oxygen and bacteria that would lead to decomposition. The dark colours of a shark tooth fossil come from absorbing minerals found in the ground around them
Divers are weighted to protect themselves against the fast-flowing dark waters, as they feel in the river floor for fossils, in what must be a terrifying but rewarding experience.
At 14cm long, a broad calculation from the enamel length of this tooth puts this Carcaharodon shark at approx 12 metres.
Carcharodon, derived from the term "jagged/sharp tooth," represents a group of sharks belonging to the Lamnidae family, commonly referred to as the "white sharks."
Among these species, the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) stands as the sole surviving member in the present day.
Click through to take a closer look at this beautiful specimen. Its high quality, size, and colouring make it an exquisite addition to any collection.
