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ULTRA
RARE INTACT HUMERUS
BONE
FROM AN EXTINCT EUROPEAN RHINOCEROS
Interglacial Gravel Pit
Deposit - Great Britain
PLEISTOCENE
PERIOD (IPSWICHIAN): 110,000 years ago
For
the first time we have ever seen such rare fossils offered, this could
very well be for most collectors, a once-in-lifetime chance to own
fossils of an uncommon Pleistocene rhinoceros of Europe that lived
during the second interglacial period. This is a fossil humerus
(upper arm bone) from the extinct European Soft Nose Rhinoceros
Dicerorhinus hemitoechus. It is in perfect preservation with
all joints and articulating surfaces of the finest degree of intactness
and density. Color is natural and
bone is in 100% 'AS FOUND' condition.
Entire specimen is
INTACT and with
NO REPAIR AND NO RESTORATION. Bone is
complete except for a tiny edge that was sheared off when dug with
machinery during the working of the commercial gravel pit. For the
ultimate quality of fossil mammal bone from Europe AND from one of the
rarest mammal fossil bones we will ever offer, this is a specimen that
is lacking in most museum collections not to mention private
collections.
Due to
the rarity of such a fossil and our doubts we will have any more ever to
offer, we have forgone setting up a separate section and have included
this specimen amongst the Woolly Rhino category as they are in the same
family.
Not
much is known about this extinct European rhino. This beast was
robust and similar in size to the Woolly Rhinoceros but lacked the thick
fur. Fossil remains are very limited. We know these
creatures were hunted by
primitive humans. Fragmentary remains have been found
in some cave deposits in Europe along with primitive human fossil teeth
of Neanderthals and from an earlier period,
Acheulian and Clactonian tools.
Like the Woolly Rhinoceros and Cave Bear, it is probable that
Dicerorhinus hemitoechus
was revered and worshipped based on the strength and fierceness of
such a beast and the related difficulty and danger that was involved in
killing one.
The eventual
extinction of
Dicerorhinus hemitoechus is believed to have been caused by their inability to cope
with the climate that marked the close of the second interglacial period
and the following colder climate which was better survived by the Woolly
rhinoceros. Today, the family Rhinocerotidae contains only five living
species in the wild, two in Africa and three throughout Asia. All
but the Sumatran rhinoceros are virtually hairless except for the tip of
the tail and a fringe on the ears. The Sumatran rhinoceros is
thought to have been stranded on the island of Sumatra during the
retreat of the last ice sheet. This amazing animal is covered with
a fairly dense coat of hair and is believed to be the closest living
relative of the Woolly rhinoceros.
ULTRA-RARE
FOSSIL FROM AN ANIMAL LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT - RARE EVEN FOR MUSEUM
COLLECTIONS
INTACT - HARD TO BELIEVE BUT THIS BONE IS AS FOUND - NO WORK DONE!
15.5" in length x
8.7" wide overall
$2495
LM12-018
Actual Item - One Only |