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EUROPEAN CAVE BEAR URSUS SPELAEUS PARTIAL MAXILLA WITH MOLAR Undisclosed Cave in Poland PLEISTOCENE PERIOD: 200,000 - 20,000 years ago True Cave Bear fossils from the European extinct Ice Age bear Ursus spelaeus have become quite rare in today's market. Fine quality examples of any fossil remains of the cave bear are scarce. The Cave Bear of Europe was a beast both feared and worshipped by Neanderthals and Cro-magnon man as they were forced to co-exist and compete for shelter during the final Ice Age. A classic beast of the Pleistocene, no vertebrate fossil collection showcasing animals of the last Ice Age and even primitive human history should be without some fine grade examples of fossils of this animal. This is a very rare part of a small collection of cave bear fossils that were collected from a single cave many decades ago in Poland. Vertebrate fossil collecting and export of fossils like these from Poland has been BANNED for many years now. Specimens like this can never be collected or removed from the country today. It is material like this that will appreciate in value due to such scarcity in the years to come. This is a partial maxilla with an original molar still embedded in the bone of the European Cave Bear Ursus spelaeus. The root is present and wonderfully shown. The crown is naturally lustrous and displays spectacular light enamel and cusp surface. This is only one of very few specimens that were attached to bone that were from this small old collection. NO REPAIR AND NO RESTORATION.
The anatomical features of the Russian non-cave-dwelling species are evident when compared to the true European Cave Bear (Ursus spelaeus). The Russian bear species (uralensis) is also not as massive as the true European cave bear, Ursus spelaeus. Basic anatomical features of the skull are easy to differentiate the two. Ursus spelaeus will have larger zygomatic arches (cheek bones), a much steeper forehead and a higher, more pronounced sagittal crest (the crest on the dorsal posterior portion of the skull). Compare the skull images on this page and elsewhere in this section to Russian skulls being sold elsewhere and you will see the difference. Russian bear fossils of Ursus uralensis are MUCH MORE prevalent and found in greater numbers today than high quality TRUE cave bear fossils of Europe (Ursus spelaeus) and therefore, are less rare and reflect a lower price than the European specimens. Ursus spelaeus was a huge omnivorous bear that resided in caves year-round compared to modern bears which only use caves as a shelter for hibernation. When standing on its hind legs, the height of this beast would have averaged 10 feet tall! Skulls have been found 20 inches in length! The closest relative is our modern day brown bear but the cave bear averages 30% greater in size. One way to differentiate a cave bear skull from a brown bear (and all other bears for that matter) is the sheer size, first off, and also the prominence of the brow and forehead unique to the cave bear. Modern bear skulls have a more gradual sloping forehead. Found throughout caves in Europe, the cave bear was named after the places where its remains are commonly found: caves, in the Alps, the Ardennes, the Carpathian and Ural Mountains, and in many other European mountain chains. Remains found in caves near the North Sea and in The Netherlands show that the range of Ursus spelaeus eventually spread into the lowland forests of western Europe. In this last region, populations drastically declined around 40,000 years ago finally becoming extinct during the last glacial period. It is believed that the cave bears' demise was aided by competition for food and shelter by a simultaneous existence with the brown bear. Evidence found in caves suggests that prehistoric man either worshipped the cave bear or used its remains in religious rituals. SUPERBLY PRESERVED PARTIAL MAXILLA PORTION WITH ORIGINAL TOOTH AND EXPOSED ROOT STILL ATTACHED 4.25" in length overall $125 LM40-123 Actual Item - One Only |
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