Pleistocene Mammal Foot Bone Fossil from the United Kingdom Genuine Ice Age Specimen COA

Authentic Pleistocene Mammal Foot Bone Fossil – United Kingdom

This listing features a genuine fossilised mammal foot bone dating to the Pleistocene Epoch, discovered in the United Kingdom. This is a carefully chosen specimen selected for its clarity, preservation, and scientific interest. The photographs show the exact fossil you will receive, allowing full confidence in its condition and authenticity. As with all our fossils, this specimen is 100% genuine and is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Age and Context – The Pleistocene Epoch

The Pleistocene Epoch, spanning approximately 2.58 million to 11,700 years ago, represents one of the most dynamic periods in recent geological history. Often referred to as the Ice Age, this epoch was characterised by repeated glacial and interglacial cycles that dramatically shaped landscapes and ecosystems across Britain and northern Europe.

During this time, the United Kingdom supported a rich diversity of large and small mammals adapted to cold and temperate climates. Fossil remains are commonly recovered from river gravels, floodplain deposits, cave systems, and glacial sediments, where bones were rapidly buried and gradually mineralised. Fossilised mammal bones from the Pleistocene provide critical evidence for understanding past climates, environments, and faunal communities.

Fossil Type – Mammal Foot Bone

This specimen represents a foot bone (pedal element) from a Pleistocene mammal. Foot bones are particularly informative fossils, as their shape and structure are closely linked to locomotion, body weight, and habitat preference. Even without complete skeletal context, pedal bones can reveal whether an animal was adapted for running, walking on soft ground, climbing, or supporting substantial body mass.

Key features commonly observed on fossil mammal foot bones include:

• Dense cortical bone, reflecting weight-bearing function

• Articular surfaces for joint movement and flexibility

• Robust proportions, often associated with Ice Age mammals

• Natural surface texture, showing fossilisation rather than recent bone

The preservation of this specimen allows the anatomical structure to be clearly appreciated, making it suitable for both display and educational study.

Depositional Environment and Preservation

Pleistocene mammal bones in the UK are typically preserved within fluvial (river) gravels, floodplain sediments, or cave deposits. These environments allowed bones to be quickly buried by sediment, protecting them from surface weathering and scavenging. Over time, groundwater rich in minerals permeated the bone, gradually replacing organic material and turning it into a durable fossil.

The fossilisation process preserves the overall morphology of the bone while giving it a distinct weight and coloration compared to modern bone, confirming its great antiquity.

Scientific and Collecting Significance

Pleistocene mammal fossils are highly valued for their connection to a relatively recent yet climatically dramatic chapter of Earth’s history. They provide tangible evidence of the animals that roamed Britain during and between Ice Ages and are widely used in museum collections, academic research, and teaching collections.

This mammal foot bone fossil is ideal for:

• Fossil and Ice Age collections

• Educational displays and study

• Natural history enthusiasts

• Collectors interested in UK fossil material

Your Genuine Fossil Specimen

• Fossil Type: Mammal foot bone

• Geological Age: Pleistocene Epoch

• Locality: United Kingdom

• Authenticity: 100% genuine fossil

• Condition: Naturally fossilised with clear anatomical features

• Sizing: Full measurements shown in listing photographs

• Exact Specimen: You will receive the fossil shown

• Certificate: Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity

This Pleistocene mammal foot bone fossil offers a direct and compelling connection to Britain’s Ice Age past. Its authenticity, geological significance, and strong visual presence make it a meaningful addition to any fossil collection or educational setting.