Lot 5, Auction 4/12/2026: North American Fossilized Juvenile Bison Antiquus Skull

$1,040.00

In stock

North America, Late Pleistocene, ca. 10,000 years ago. A well-preserved, fossilized skull fragment of a prehistoric juvenile North American bison (Bison antiquus). The bone has darkened over the ages to hues of umber and burnt sienna. The skull retains its iconic horns which project from the sides of the head and clearly identify this animal. The upper part of the wide face also contains part of the prominent eye sockets. The bovine family, which contains Taurids (cattle) and bisonids, diverged from a common ancestor with the water buffalo and African buffalo around 5 to 10 million years ago. The bison at some point migrated from Asia across the land bridge into North America. During the Ice Age, these bison were much larger, with species like Bison latifrons (giant bison) and Bison antiquus evolving to become smaller and smaller as the millennia passed and the climate changed. However, modern bison are still the largest land mammals in North America – bigger than moose, elk, and even grizzly bears! This skull is a wonderful piece of prehistoric history! Size: 10.25″ L x 17.625″ W x 9.75″ H (26 cm x 44.8 cm x 24.8 cm)

Condition: Fragment of a skull as shown. Missing front of nose and jaw. Stable fissures and cavities from fossilization process. Lacquer fixative coated to upper front surface. Mineral deposits and earthen deposits on interior.

Provenance: private Texas, USA Collection; ex-private Lake City, Colorado, USA collection; ex-private Nebraska collection, found on private land in 2020

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

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