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Bison Skulls


quacksmacker

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Hello. I am looking for some opinions regarding the identification of some skulls we found. We excavated 26 skulls thus far this winter. They have been buried in gravel, underwater. Most the research I have done suggests to me that the majority of our skulls are of the ancienct variety. Please view and I would appreciate any input. Thanks.

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Only 26. You should try a different spot.

(Just kidding, that skull is awesome)

For one species to mourn the death of another is a new thing under the sun.
-Aldo Leopold
 

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Amazing! Theirs been no other bones found in association to these skulls?

Finding my way through life; one fossil at a time.

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Bison antiquus - The extinct Ice Age Bison is what you have in the picture. Are all 26 skulls as nice as this one?

Many times I've wondered how much there is to know.  
led zeppelin

 

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26 skulls in one area? Wow! As mentioned in an earlier post, have you found any other bones?

With 26 skulls in one area, it sounds like a "group kill" similar to the mammoth dig site in Waco, TX. If I recall, they've recovered 21 mammoths and 1 camel from this site. They believe they were feeding in a low area when a flash flood hit and they were unable to escape.

Please keep us posted as to your progress.

SWard
Southeast Missouri

(formerly Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX)

USA

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Pristine preservation for a Pleistocene bison skull :wub:

The skull was buried...OK, I get it. However, does that in of itself explain

the outstanding preservation??? The skull obviously is not recent but

the preservation is so good...it has a recent appearance :blink:

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The skulls are very heavy. I believe I can say they are fossilized. I will post some more pics. I have probably a dozen or more in condition similiar to the one shown. I understand bison, even the modern bison, were and are heavy drinkers. Therefore, it was quite common for them to fall through the ice in the winter months when a large group would try to get water at the same time. There are many bones in the area. I could easily gather well over a hundred.

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Referring to Pleistocene specimens as fossils is understood. However,

they are not "true fossils" but the original bone and in most cases are

"heavy" because of mineralization.

Just a matter of terminology...We all understand :)

I'm just curious as to the pristine preservation of this Pleistocene skull

Probably a question for other members

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Could you elaborate please. As I understand it, animal or plant remains, whether per/mineralised or not, over 10,000 years old, are fossils.

Referring to Pleistocene specimens as fossils is understood. However,

they are not "true fossils" but the original bone and in most cases are

"heavy" because of mineralization.

Just a matter of terminology...We all understand :)

I'm just curious as to the pristine preservation of this Pleistocene skull

Probably a question for other members

KOF, Bill.

Welcome to the forum, all new members

www.ukfossils check it out.

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Could you elaborate please. As I understand it, animal or plant remains, whether

per/mineralised or not, over 10,000 years old, are fossils.

Definitional :)

What about a specimen that is 9,000 years old?

How can you tell if a specimen is 9,500 or 10,200 years old ?

How old is the bison skull?

Fossil per Wiki is defined over 10,000 years of age: Link

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Pleistocene ended 10,000 years ago and Bison antiqqus went extinct or "evolved" into Bison bison. Over 10,000 years fossil, 9,999 years, old.

Many times I've wondered how much there is to know.  
led zeppelin

 

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Does anyone else find the preservation remarkable ?

Yep. I find pretty much everything about it remakable :). Very cool find and I too would love to see a group shot of all of the skulls.

Also, me thinks that the background of your last image is impressive as well, I've seen guides with less rods on their walls than that ... then again maybe you are a guide. ;)

"They ... savoured the strange warm glow of being much more ignorant than ordinary people, who were only ignorant of ordinary things."

-- Terry Pratchett

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Ok just saw the new pic with six of the skulls in it, which is just too cool! However, It looks uneven. I would recomend sending one of the skulls to me to even out the top row :)

"They ... savoured the strange warm glow of being much more ignorant than ordinary people, who were only ignorant of ordinary things."

-- Terry Pratchett

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Indy - Yes, the preservation is great, but really not that unusual for a bog-type preservation. Most of the fossils we find on the river sandbars look as good as these when they first wash out, but we don't get to find them until they bounce around for a few miles. In this case, he got lucky and found the source. Amazing!!

Could have stuck foot in my mouth

I know that I have done that before

because I've seen me do it :D

Bison antiquus is over 10,000 years old...Cool

Does anyone else find the preservation remarkable ?

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That shot of those 6 together is awesome.

(I'd have to find another use for my boxers as well after finding all those.)

For one species to mourn the death of another is a new thing under the sun.
-Aldo Leopold
 

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What I find unusual is that it is skulls, and I guess little else. What happened to the rest of the carcasses? Scavengers? You would think there would be several of the larger leg and vertebraes which would have been difficult to transport. Where are those kids with that dog when such a mystery is afoot? (I am referring to Scooby-Doo of course, the dog that taught me all of my detectivating skills).

Bemused at Bedtime

Brent Ashcraft

ashcraft, brent allen

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There are many bones in the area. We have concentrated on skulls. We could easily gather many various bones. Leg, vertebrae, pelvic, rib, scapula, lower jaws, etc.

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That sounds normal then. I was trying to conjur a way skulls would be preserved over the rest of the remains, and it was causing some serious queeziness in the lower recesses of my mind.

Brent Ashcraft

ashcraft, brent allen

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