North America, Western United States, Montana, Flathead Reservation, Salish & Kootenai Tribes, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A massive skull from an American bison (Bison bison), also known as an American buffalo, the most iconic animal of the American West! The large teeth from the upper jaw are well preserved, and the bone has beautifully lightened to a sun-bleached creamy beige, while the dark brown horn sheaths curve up and slightly inward. Bison were an invaluable animal for many tribes and were used for food, medicine, tools, and clothing. These majestic animals embody the "Old West" and are integral to many traditional ways of life and religious beliefs. This skull has a metal wire attached to the verso and would be an amazing display piece! Size: 24.5" L x 23" W (62.2 cm x 58.4 cm)
Bison, often known as the American buffalo, are in 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 the Old World into the New. During the Ice Age, they 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. That does not mean they are small animals in our non-Ice Age times - in fact, today, they are the largest land mammal in North America - bigger than moose, elk, and even grizzly bears! Adult males can weigh up to 2000 pounds and stand six feet tall.
The European settlers hunted bison nearly to extinction in the 19th century. The Flathead Indian Reservation was home to a free ranging herd that was protected by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes (CSKT), to save the animals from being completely decimated. In 1908 the American government seized the land and herd from the CSKT and established the National Bison Range, taking the control and management of the herd away from the tribes. As of 2019, the herd's management has finally been transferred back to CSKT.
Provenance: private Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA collection, acquired in 1997
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#166840
Condition
Surface is a creamy yellow from open air contact. Near complete with no repairs, some small areas of loss low on the nasal cavity and to tooth enamel. Teeth are slightly loose, but present. Lower jaw is absent as shown. Horn sheathes are removable. Metal wire attached for suspension.