DALLAS, TX.- The fossilized remains of a cave bear, a giant beast the likes of which terrified Ice Age humans some 24,000 years ago in what today is Romania, will make for a formidable centerpiece in the right collector’s den once the hammer comes down at Heritage’s August 29 Nature & Science Signature® Natural History Auction.

The towering lifelike 8-foot Ursus spelaeus skeleton, part of the iconic megafauna of the Pleistocene, is fully mounted on a custom black metal armature that complements the golden bones. It’s a top-quality, eye-catching specimen — and just one of the impressive globe- and time-spanning treasures up for bids in the August 29 event.

“We are proud to present this auction of amazing specimens, including real-life ‘monsters’ — at least in fossil form — and meteorites that span the farthest reaches of outer space,” said Craig Kissick, Vice President of Nature & Science for Heritage Auctions. “Not to mention an array of colorful gemstones, collectible gold specimens and rare scientific memorabilia not to be missed. We have literally crossed the boundaries of space and time to bring together this collection of quality items representing the best in quality of many different varieties.”

The cave bear is not the only exciting Ice Age megafauna represented at the auction, in fact. The 100 percent complete and natural upper skull of an Aenocyon dirus, more commonly known as a dire wolf, is coupled with a cast mandible to complete the skull, creating an intense display piece. This kind of fossil is a rare specimen, making for a collectible that is as scientifically intriguing as it is visually dramatic.

Another outstanding skull featured in this event once belonged to a late Cretaceous Period mosasaur, Tylosaurus proriger. With a nearly complete set of conical teeth and 43-inch length, the skull is evidence of the intimidating 40-foot-plus length of this aquatic apex predator lizard who hunted anything and everything it could ambush — including other mosasaurs — 66 to 92 million years ago in the prehistoric ocean. This specimen was found in 1991 in Fannin County, about an hour from Dallas, and has been expertly restored and prepared for display.

Perhaps the preeminent prehistoric predator, the Tyrannosaurus rex, is represented by a pair of specimens. A substantial 3-inch tooth from Wyoming and a wood block-mounted vertebra measuring nearly 10 inches across the top from Montana are both top-quality examples of fossilized dinosaur remains, as are another vertebra from another carnivorous dinosaur, the Allosaurus fragilis, as well as a Diplodocus caudal vertebra and a Triceratops horridus brow horn, to name just a few. A massive blue-hued woolly mammoth tusk measuring 71 inches on the curve will make for a dramatic display piece as well, as would the remarkable museum-quality skeleton of a Daphoenus felinus, or “bear-dog,” a unique Oligocene carnivorous mammal that has a resemblance to both bears and dogs but is actually not related to either — which would be only an academic distinction to any prey on the business end of its canine teeth.

Other fossil specimens will make for some eye-popping centerpieces certain to enchant any visitor: a vividly iridescent “gem” ammonite fossil shimmering with green, gold, blue and purple, or a hefty and equally colorful petrified conifer slab. As far as dramatic displays, it would be hard to beat a piece of the moon, such as this 259.8-gram lunar meteorite end cut, or a chunk of the Red Planet in the form of a 69.8-gram Martian meteorite.

A crystalline gold nugget weighing more than 3-1/2 pounds might do it, though. Leafy and foil-like folds totaling 1,669.1 grams of the precious metal grew into a natural art piece measuring more than 5.5 inches of sharp-textured golden-yellow luster. Display-worthy nuggets of 598.6 grams, 402.2 grams, 97.8 grams and various other weights are also available in this auction, along with a visually stunning piece of radiant gold against a stark white matrix of quartz.

Collectors on the hunt for exciting mineral specimens and gemstones will find plenty of items to watch in the August 29 auction, including an extraordinary 19.27-carat Tanzanite stone, a captivating 9.12-carat spinel and a hypnotic 23.14-carat Ethiopian opal — as well as a fitting display box for them made from polished “gem-quality” dinosaur bone and petrified wood.