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GIANT AUROCHS LOWER 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 largest of these vertebra we have ever come across. Bone is in impeccable condition with only dorsal process restored. Amazingly, the transverse processes survived and they are in remarkable intact preservation. This vertebra would have been located at the base of the spine on this beast (see lower photo). This fossil vertebra was dredged from deep within the gravel hence its wonderful preservation and light color. No collection or display of Europe's last Ice Age should be without a fossil bone such as this. 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.
POSITION OF THIS VERTEBRA
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! AFFORDABLE YET RARE, UNUSUAL SPECIMEN OF ONE OF THE CLASSIC ANIMALS OF EUROPE'S LAST ICE AGE 16.25" long $295 LM17-016 Actual Item - One Only |
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Maas River site, Holland |
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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.. 