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FINEST GRADE COMPLETE INTACT EUROPEAN ICE AGE WISENT BISON ATLAS VERTEBRA Wahl River, Holland LATE PLEISTOCENE PERIOD: 25,000 years ago This immaculate fossil bone is an atlas vertebrae of the massive European bison of the Ice Age, Bison bonasus, also known as the WISENT. Of all the high grade fossil Ice Age bones we have ever offered, I think this ranks as one of the most beautiful ever. The color, texture, quality of preservation and overall appearance are simply something that must be seen in person to fully appreciate. The color alone, appears as if the edges were highlighted with an airbrush. The light tan color is completely natural and is very rare, due in part to being protected and buried deep in a Pleistocene gravel bed below the river floor. The atlas vertebra is what supported the skull and was the first vertebra of the spinal column. There is only one of these vertebra per beast. This massive and INTACT specimen is truly a prize fossil of these Pleistocene Ice Age giants. Normally, fossil bones of any Ice Age animal are found broken and in poor preservation but the quality of preservation on this specimen is the absolute finest. Entire vertebra is without any breaks or repair. The entire vertebra is solid and INTACT WITH NO REPAIR OR RESTORATION. The hue is a natural light golden brown and the anatomical detail is perfectly preserved and intact. 100% genuine and as found. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and duly impressive to demonstrate the robust size of these revered Ice Age beasts. The magnificent Wisent 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. The forest-dwelling wisent is normally smaller than the North American bison. The wisent has shorter hair on the neck, head, and front legs but possesses longer horns and a longer tail. The presence of 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. 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! ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFULLY COLORED AND PRESERVED ICE AGE BONES WE HAVE EVER SEEN - LARGE AND BEYOND PERFECT! 9.8" across $395 LM2-007 Actual Item - One Only |
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