Abstract
The disarticulated, nearly complete skeleton of a mature adult bull mammoth (Mammuthus trogontherii), measuring some 4 m at the shoulder (top of the scapula) with an estimated live weight of approximately 9 tonnes, was excavated between 1990 and 1995 from the West Runton Freshwater Bed (WRFB), Norfolk, dated to the early Middle Pleistocene, approximately 700 ka.The near-completeness of the skeleton provides a unique opportunity to search for evidence of skeletal disease and speculate on the cause of death. Of particular interest is the abnormal gross appearance of the right distal femur. The opposing right tibia was not located, but it was possible to determine that the femur abnormality was indicative of a long-standing knee injury with subluxation. The injury, per se, did not lead to the death of the animal, but may have compromised the animal’s mobility sufficiently to have contributed to its demise.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
