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RARE EUROPEAN ICE AGE LATE AUROCHS SKULL IN SCARCE FORM WITH ORIGINAL TEETH AND BOTH HORN CORES Southeastern Poland LATE PLEISTOCENE PERIOD: 15,000 years ago This is an extremely rare and highly uncommon fossil skull of an extinct Late Aurochs (Bos primigenius / taurus). The late Aurochs was a reduced animal compared to the earlier form with much broader horns and larger proportions. In either type a skull like this is RARE, especially with today's machinery different than before where the modern dredges pulverize the gravel, subsequently destroying the fossils BEFORE they are brought up. This skull is in remarkable condition considering the remaining fragile anatomy that survived both the last Ice Age and the river dredge that retrieved it. All bone surfaces are impeccable and both horn cores are present. Some of the original teeth are still in their sockets. Some very rare original un-repaired anatomy is present that is usually absent in these skulls. Part of the most distal tip of the fragile nose process is present, most of the palate is present, both eye orbits are complete and intact and the zygomatic arches are still complete and intact. Even more impressive is the fact that not a single bit of repair or restoration has been performed. This would make a phenomenal display piece laying alongside primitive hunting weapons of prehistoric man! The color is natural and is a rich dark coffee brown. This is THE ultimate Late Aurochs fossil and one of the most affordable ALL NATURAL Ice Age skulls any fossil collection could include! This is a rare fossil from a beast that is seldom found in Late Pleistocene fossil collections. A great compliment to a primitive man stone tool and weapon collection as these animals lived alongside humans, played a vital role for resources in human survival during the last Ice Age and were hunted / 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 SPECIMEN IN CHOICE PRESERVATION AND WITH NO RESTORATION OR REPAIR! 20" long $1745 LM17-020 Actual Item - One Only |
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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..