A prehistoric tooth weighing 2.5kg found near Sidmouth has been unveiled by an amateur archaeologist in what is, quite literally, a mammoth find.

Pamela Gordon-Lee and her husband Michael found the colossal fossil while beach-combing at Salcombe Regis in 2009.

Today (April 8, 2019) Pamela donated the mammoth's tooth to Sidmouth Museum so that others can enjoy the discovery.

"I quite literally stumbled across this whilst beach-combing at low tide at Salcombe Regis in December 2009. At the eastern end of the beach the rocks are exposed at low tide, and my husband and I were just pottering about, hoping maybe to find some fossils.

"I immediately saw it was something significant, although I didn't know exactly what it was, so with some effort, as it weighs over 2.5 kl, I carried it all the way back up the steps and back home, not really knowing what to do with it.

"Eventually I contacted the palaeontologists at the museum in Lyme Regis and took it to their workshop, where they immediately identified it as a mammoth's tooth and were both excited and envious, as they considered it a rare find."

Over the following weeks palaeontologists dried it out in order to stabilise it. During that time, together with a colleague from the Natural History Museum, they were able to identify it as a Mammuthus trogouitheri, and dated it between 11,000 – 12,000 years old.

To their knowledge it was the first time that remains from this particular species of mammoth had been found outside the London basin, but couldn't say whether it had ended up on the beach as a result of longshore drift or from a cliff fall.

The experts explained that with Mammoth's teeth, the molars at the back of the mouth moved forward during their lifetime and eventually fell out, and this particular tooth was probably from the upper jaw.

"Whilst I love having it at home, I feel that more people should be able to see it and enjoy this extraordinary object, so I have the pleasure of donating it to Sidmouth Museum," said Pamela.

Assistant geological curator at Sidmouth Museum, Colin Boynton, said: "It's a valuable record which shows that these animals were roaming the Sidmouth area between 10,000 and 12,000 years ago.

"We believe this is the first one of this species found in the area, making it extremely rare. The fact Pamela found the tooth just goes to show anyone can find one.

"In terms of size, imagine an African Elephant and then multiply its size by 150-200%. We're very pleased to have it at the museum and it will be a valuable part of our collection."

For more information on the museum and what is on display click the big red button below.

Picture: (L to R) Deputy Curator Ann Tanner, Pamela Gordon-Lee and deputy geological curator Colin Boynton.