MEM15213 - Bronze Age aurochs, Porlock Bay (Monument)

The partial skeleton of an Aurochs (Bos primigenius) of Early Bronze Age. The remains were exposed by the erosion of alluvial deposits following the breach of Porlock Bay shingle ridge in October 1996. Excavation in April 1998 revealed the skeleton to be situated in a large palaeochannel. It is possible more of the Aurochs skeleton survives in other locations on Porlock beach within uneroded sections of the paleochannel. [1] The pelvis and parts of the vertebral column and rib cage were recovered. The animal was identified as an adult bull at least ten years of age which might have died of an injury or a subsequent infection. [2] The remains have been Radiocarbon dated to 1738-1450 Calibrated BC. [5] The remains of the aurochs are on display at the Porlock Visitor Centre. Further excavations were carried out near to where the bones were discovered, where a further bone was uncovered, which is yet to be analysed. [7] The animal was estimated to be six foot high at the shoulder. [8] There is no evidence on the bones to indicate that the aurochs was killed or butchered by people living in the area. [9] The site of the aurochs excavation is now continually under water from the tidal pond expanding to the southeast. [10]