ethos23 Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 (edited) Hi everyone, I found what I think are a lumbar vertebra and an astragalus bone. I'm not sure how old they are, but they both seem pretty weathered and possibly mineralized. Both appear to be from bovids(?). These were found on a river sandbar around Ames, IA after recent spring flooding. Does anyone know how to distinguish bison from cattle bones? The vertebra is 35 cm wide, 10 cm long, and 8 cm tall. The astragalus is 7.4 cm long, 5.5 cm wide, and 4 cm deep. Edited March 24, 2019 by ethos23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevonianDigger Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 I'm not a vertebrate guy and don't know much about these pieces, but I wanted to welcome you to the forum and say that these are nice finds! Someone will come along shortly and help you out for sure! Jay A. Wollin Lead Fossil Educator - Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve Hamburg, New York, USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 I can't say I remember all the indications that @Harry Pristis has given us, but comparing it to the one I have that I believe to be from a Bison I think the astragalus is from a Bos (cow). The difference in height between the right and left lobes of the pulley structure I think is an essential aspect. Bison having a more pronounced 'tilt'. Cows having a more generally squareish profile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Pristis Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 11 hours ago, ethos23 said: Hi everyone, I found what I think are a lumbar vertebra and an astragalus bone. I'm not sure how old they are, but they both seem pretty weathered and possibly mineralized. Both appear to be from bovids(?). These were found on a river sandbar around Ames, IA after recent spring flooding. Does anyone know how to distinguish bison from cattle bones? The vertebra is 35 cm wide, 10 cm long, and 8 cm tall. The astragalus is 7.4 cm long, 5.5 cm wide, and 4 cm deep. I am not sure about the vertebra, but the astragalus is bison. 2 http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 Back to the drawing board for me. Seems I need to get mine checked when I get the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notidanodon Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 great find Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ethos23 Posted April 5, 2019 Author Share Posted April 5, 2019 Thanks everyone for the welcome and the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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