The skeleton of a Siberian mammoth dating back some 15,000 years and a meteorite from Russia go on auction in Paris, April 16, in the first such sale of curiosities from paleontogy, Christie’s auction house said Tuesday.

The most spectacular aspect of this sale will be the exhibition and auction of several large
mammals from the Quaternary Period. These include the complete skeleton of a Siberian
mammoth armed with tusks of an impressive size.

Standing at 3, 80 m and measuring over 4, 80 m in length, this mammoth is a prime example of this period. This species was the contemporary of Neanderthal man during the mid Paleolithic Period and that of Homo sapiens during the late Paleolithic Period. Estimate: 100,000 – 150,000 euros.

Also from Russia at the Christie’s auction will be a private collection of trilobites, or fossils of arthropods, dating from 400 million years ago. Trilobites, all coming from Russia that date from 400 million years ago. The trilobites were ocean dwelling arthropods.

These types were endemic of Russia and the majority of these pieces that were discovered at the end of the 19th century, but were hidden during the Soviet Revolution. They reappeared in 1965 and lots such as the Cheirurus exell Trilobite, estimated at 12,000 - 14,000 euros are today in great demand.

One will be able to discover rare pieces from far flung places such as the extraordinary 150-kilogramme (331-pound) meteorite originating from Russia. It contains a myriad of semi precious stones and shows rare marks from its entry into the atmosphere. Valued at between 90,000 and 120,000 euros.

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