Saber-tooth cat (Smilodon californicus) This is a museum reparation casting in polyester resin of a skull from the Rancho La Brea tar pits in southern California. It dates from the Pleistocene Epoch or the "Ice Age" which began 1,000,000 years ago. Genuine skulls are generally unavailable to the public and can cost upwards to 16,000 dollars.