Ursus spelaeus
Rumania or Austria
Late Pleistocene (around 40,000-50,000 years)
47 x 29 x 24 cm

Provenance: Old Swiss school collection

Similar in size to today’s brown bears, Ursus spelaeus stood nearly 12 feet (3.7 meters) tall and could weigh up to a ton.
Colloquially known as the “true cave bear of Europe”, this late Pleistocene species lived alongside and may have competed for shelter with Neanderthals. Multiple cave art sites all over Europe have been discovered depicting their likeness, hinting at Cro-Magnon use of cave bear remains in spiritual and/or ritualistic practices.
Presented here is a very impressive Cave bear skull. Both canines and molars show little to no wear. Cheek bones show small reconstrucions.. Little restoration work to the surface bone (premaxillary) above the four upper incisors. Otherwise, both skull and mandible are intact and nearly complete.