Many thanks to all those who helped me with the identification of my mystery
bone. After posting the photos I also found a distal phalange also belonging to
an eagle, probably white tailed or Golden.
It was interesting however that identifications came down in two definate camps
- bear or eagle, it is surprising how similar the phalanges of these two taxa
seemingly are. Certainly worth keeping in mind.
Thanks again.
Julia
Quoting Leif Jonsson <[log in to unmask]>:
> Hello,
> The phalange that you have found is is not from a bear. It is from an
> eagle, perhaps a white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaëtus albicilla) or golden
> eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). Your bone is a second phalange of the second
> digit in the foot (looks like the right side foot). From the photo it
> looks like the proximal end is partially broken on the ventral side. In
> eagles the first and second phalange of the second digit are partially
> fused (on the ventral side) and your specimen seems to be broken where the
> phalanges have been fused.
> Leif Jonsson
> Gothenburg Museum of Natural history
>
>
--
Julia Elise Cussans
Post-graduate research
Department of Archaeological Sciences
University of Bradford
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