EUROPEAN BISON (WISENT) COMPLETE BACK VERTEBRA - North Sea, The Netherlands

LATE PLEISTOCENE PERIOD:  25,000 years ago

Very few vertebra from ANY prehistoric creature can be so impressive as the thoracic high-spined vertebrae of the massive European bison of the Ice Age.  As one of the center and highest vertebra that made up the hump of the creature, this massive and INTACT specimen is truly a prize fossil of these Pleistocene Ice Age mammals.  That is correct, the neural spine is without any breaks or repair.  The entire vertebra is solid and without any repair nor restoration.  The hue is a rich jet black and the grained bone surface is still preserved although mineralized.  Erosion to the tip of the neural and right transverse spine do not detract as this remarkably rare example is 98% complete, 100% genuine and as found.  A chemical hardener has been applied to protect the rare intact nature of the bone.  RARELY FOUND WHOLE AS THIS SPECIMEN IS AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

The presence of these incredibly long spines on the upper thoracic vertebra have been speculated over in science.  First, bison have very large heads relative to their body size.  The thoracic spines serve as anchors for the muscles that are needed to support the weight of the head.  The larger the head, the larger the muscle mass needed for support.  Second, larger dorsal spines and longer scapula give the bison a long stride for its relatively short legs.  This allows the bison to walk over long distances with great efficiency of movement.  In large grazing animals, energy conservation and efficiency are a definite advantage to survival.

These magnificent creatures were both revered and hunted by both late period Neanderthal man and early Modern man.  Cave paintings have been discovered depicting stylized wisents and hunting parties of these animals by primitive man.

Today, the Wisent is alive in very limited numbers in Europe but is one of the rarest mammals on earth.  It is currently the largest mammal on the European Continent.  Bulls stand over 6 feet tall at the shoulders, can grow over 9 feet in length and have weighed IN EXCESS of 2000 pounds!  

VERY RARE FOR A COMPLETE HUMP VERTEBRA TO BE FOUND INTACT IN THIS SIZE!

22.75" in length x 4.4" wide

SOLD     LM2002     Actual Item - One Only

225