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INTACT GIANT AUROCHS UPPER THORACIC VERTEBRA Maas River, Holland LATE PLEISTOCENE PERIOD: 45,000 - 15,000 years ago Dredged years ago from the Maas River, this is an enormous lower thoracic fossil vertebra from the extinct Aurochs (Bos primigenius / taurus). The robust anatomy attests to the massive weight of this animal. This is the tallest vertebra of the Aurochs, located right between the shoulders where the most muscles of the upper back are attached to. Rarely are these vertebra found complete and unbroken as this spectacular example is! This fossil vertebra was dredged from deep within the gravel hence its wonderful preservation and light color. Entire bone is AS FOUND with NO REPAIR and NO RESTORATION performed. No collection or display of Europe's last Ice Age should be without a fossil bone such as this. Not shown, a beautiful custom made stand is included, hand-crafted out of hardwood and stainless steel. This displays this vertebra standing up as it would have been on the skeleton. This specimen would also make a great compliment to a primitive man stone tool and weapon collection as they lived alongside each other at one point in history and were hunted and revered by both Neanderthal man and Cro-Magnon man.
The Aurochs was a famous animal in prehistoric times. These massive beasts were an ancient form of cattle with massive bones, heavily muscled bodies and long curving horns. They were hunted and worshipped by primitive man and featured in many famous prehistoric cave paintings across Europe. To challenge such a massive and powerful beast with mere wood and stone weaponry must have certainly been quite an experience and no doubt the killing of an aurochs with such primitive weapons would have brought great respect amongst human peers for bravery, if not for insanity! RARE FOR THIS VERTEBRA TO BE COMPLETE AND INTACT CONDITION - UNCOMMON LIGHT COLOR FROM GRAVEL BED FROM ONE OF THE CLASSIC ANIMALS OF EUROPE'S LAST ICE AGE 20.25" long $295 LM17-015 INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
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Maas River site, Holland |
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295 |
Aurochs are the
ancestors of present-day domestic cattle. After the ice age aurochs were
spread across Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. They lived on the
plains and at the forest's edge. Their populations were gradually
reduced as people hunted them and civilization destroyed their
habitats. Surviving the great Pleistocene mass extinction, the
last Aurochs known died on a game preserve in Poland in the year 1627
A.D.. 