stage of a fossil deer - Fossil fragment - megaloceros giganteus - 11 cm - 46 cm

Megaloceros giganteus, also known as the giant deer, was an imposing extinct cervid that lived in Eurasia and North Africa during the Pleistocene and Holocene (about 400,000 - 8,000 years ago).
The name Megaloceros in Ancient Greek means "from the giant horns." And indeed the distinctive feature of these enormous animals, capable of reaching up to 2 meters at the withers, were the antlers, which could reach an impressive span of 3.5 meters and weigh up to 90 kg.
Contrary to some past theories, the antlers were not an evolutionary "mistake" that caused their extinction, but the result of sexual selection, used by males in ritualized battles to dominate rivals and attract females. Their annual growth required enormous energy expenditure and the intake of large amounts of calcium.
It preferred open environments, such as prairies and open forests, and was widespread across a broad geographic area, not only in Ireland, where many of its fossil remains have been found in bogs. It went extinct due to rapid climatic changes at the end of the last glacial period. The progressive spread of forests at the expense of open spaces and the scarcity of calcium-rich plants made it difficult to sustain the growth of such large antlers, thus leading to its disappearance.
Our lot features an important fragment of antler with the base exactly at the point where it began to branch from the top of the animal and shows the entire internal structure.
Extremely distinctive lot, rich in charm and mystery, for true enthusiasts of rarities.
Pedestal not included, made from reclaimed material and used for photographic purposes only.
Happy bidding.