21st century AD. A character chess set with pieces carved from the fossilised tusks of woolly mammoths E. primigenius of the Pleistocene Era (80000-50000 BP) the 'white' pieces depicting eagles (pawns), standing figures (king, queen and bishops), bears (knights) and teepee u tents (rooks, one with slight damage), all set on pale stained wood disc bases; the 'black' pieces depicting eagles (pawns), grotesque figures (king, queen and bishops), bears (knights) and owls (rooks), all set on dark stained disc bases; the set contained in a hinged wood velvet-lined case with marquetry playing board to lid. 4.7 kg, board: 44 x 44cm (17 1/4 x 17 1/4"). From a private European palaeontological collection; formerly in a Spanish collection; previously from a collection formed in Arizona, USA; accompanied by a copy of a Spanish import document dated 7 June 2011.