Hi Allison, it is definitely antler. The pedicle at the base and the
cancellous bone you mention are all diagnostic, and the gnawing is typical
of molted antlers; they are often eaten by rodents, and sometimes by the
deer themselves. It is probably not mineralized if it is light. It looked
weathered to me - perhaps demineralized! It's current state and the fact
that it wasn't eaten in entirety suggests that its taphonomic history is
interesting and fairly unique. From the shape of it and its provenance, I
would venture that it is either whitetail or mule deer.
Thanks for sharing,
Deborah
> Hello zooarchs,
>
> A friend of mine gave this to me saying it was an antler.
> http://smg.beta.photobucket.com/user/antiquitas/library/bones/mystery
>
> Indeed it has the appearance of a shed antler.
> - it's completely round until it "branches off" (about 2.5cm in diameter)
> - the base really looks antlerish
>
> But there's some odd things about it...
> - it must be partially mineralized, because tapping it sounds exactly
> like plaster
> - but there is obvious bone-like cancellous structure visible on the
> broken/gnawed ends
> - and it's very light weight
> - I'm not sure a plaster cast will have cancellous bone structure
> - I've never seen a mineralized antler
>
> Someone suggested that it's a marine mammal rib, but I've never seen
> large marine mammal ribs up close and personal.
> The "branched off" part does appear like a first/second rib head.
>
> It's likely from the eastern parts of the US.
>
> So anyway, let me know what you think.... thanks!
>
> -Allison Grunwald
> University of Wyoming
>
--
Dr. Deborah Ruscillo Cosmopoulos
Department of Anthropology
Washington University in St. Louis
Campus Box 1114
St. Louis, MO 63130
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