{"product_id":"pleistocene-horse-metatarsal-with-evidence-of-ice-age-human-butchery-upper-vistula-river-poland-28-000-13-000-bc","title":"Pleistocene Wild Horse Metatarsal with Ice Age Human Butchery Marks -\nUpper Vistula River, Poland, c. 28,000–13,000 BC","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis item is now sold.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis incredibly well-preserved horse metatarsal exhibits three deep incised cuts, consistent with butchery by early humans. The placement and depth of the marks indicate they were made with a sharp tool, while soft tissue was still attached, likely during skinning for meat and hide.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exceptionally rare specimen provides direct evidence of human subsistence practices in late Pleistocene Central Europe, illustrating the interaction between early hunter-gatherers and large Ice Age fauna\u003cspan\u003e.  Humans at this time were highly opportunistic, consuming any animal that could provide food, and this bone preserves evidence of that survival strategy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecovered from Upper Vistula River deposits, the bone contributes valuable insight into human behavior, tool use, and Ice Age ecology. The preservation of the bone itself is outstanding, with both\u003cspan\u003e proximal ends of the metatarsal perfectly preserved, and overall the specimen remains fully intact. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts preservation and the clarity of the cut marks make it a significant artifact suitable for museum display or scholarly study.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecimen Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies\u003c\/strong\u003e: Equus ferus (Wild Horse)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElement\u003c\/strong\u003e: Metatarsal (hind limb)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Upper Vistula River, Poland\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge\u003c\/strong\u003e: Pleistocene Epoch, c. 28,000–13,000 BC\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions: \u003c\/strong\u003e28cm L \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight: \u003c\/strong\u003e374 G\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreservation\u003c\/strong\u003e: Well-preserved bone, intact proximal ends and deep brown caramel patina, with three deep incised cuts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eButchery Evidence\u003c\/strong\u003e: Cut marks made while soft tissue was present, likely from skinning\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSignificance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Rare example of human-animal interaction in late Pleistocene Central Europe; illustrates opportunistic subsistence practices of anatomically modern humans\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Collectors' Cabin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56373430288770,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0929\/9050\/5346\/files\/D0F1B701-49FD-4E52-BD01-AF713F6C9DB4.jpg?v=1772034058","url":"https:\/\/www.collectorscabin.shop\/products\/pleistocene-horse-metatarsal-with-evidence-of-ice-age-human-butchery-upper-vistula-river-poland-28-000-13-000-bc","provider":"Collectors' Cabin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}