RED DEER - CERVUS ELAPHUS

Ref #:  F7

Description:  Red Deer Complete Antler with Partial Skull Cap (Cervus elaphus)

Period:  Pleistocene 20,000 - 10,000 years ago

Provenance:  Eastern Europe

Measurements:  118 cm long

Comments:  One of the largest deer species, this animal lived in herds across Paleolithic Europe (amongst other continents) during and surviving the last Ice Age.  The Red Deer played a vital role in the lives of prehistoric humans as they were an important resource for meat and fur as well as bone and antler  which was used in the manufacture of tools.  Red Deer are depicted in cave art throughout Europe with sites dating to as old 40,000 years ago.  The famous Chauvet Cave in southern France dates back to 30,000 B.C. and features cave art showing the Cave Bear, Woolly Rhinoceros, Cave Lion, Mammoth, Bison, Ibex, Horse, Reindeer, Megaloceros, Musk Ox, Aurochs and Red Deer.  Upper Paleolithic and Neolithic cave sites in Europe show ample depictions of the Red Deer.