FOSSIL CAVE BEAR SKULL - URSUS SPELAEUS

THE SCIENCE

The cave bear, Ursus spelaeus, was a very large species of bear common in Europe during the Pleistocene and extinct by the beginning of the Last Glacial Maximum about 25,000 years ago. The cave bear's range stretched widely across Europe, and undisturbed caves often contain their remains. Their occurrence in known sites of early human art, such as Chauvet and Lascaux, helped to associate them with Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons, an idea further popularized by Jean M. Auel's 1980 novel Clan of the Cave Bear.

THE STORY

Death during hibernation was a common end for the cave bear, and while sheltered from the elements, its bones were often attacked and disarticulated by cave hyenas and other scavengers. Recent reassessment of fossils suggest the cave bear may have died out some 27,000 years ago. Though the reason is still disputed, the timing suggests that habitat loss due to climate change may have been responsible.

This skull comes mounted on a wooden base of 20" x 11" x 2"

DETAILS

"SKU: CB-FO0015
Dimensions: 15.5""L x 7""W x 6""H,"
Scientific Name: Fossil Cave Bear Skull
Origin: Europe
Period:
Age:25,000 Years Old
Shipping Restrictions: None.
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