A Roman marble sculpture with prehistoric human fossils in the stone, Eastern Mediterranean, c. 1st - 3rd Century AD, the animal’s head is nicely rendered with characteristic curved horns; the paw of a lion resting on top suggests this was part of a larger composition. A closer look at the marble this specimen is carved from reveals fossilized human remains - skull fragments, part of a lower mandible with the top of several teeth visible as well as parts of a vertebra and other scattered teeth. You can see the fossilized bone caused trouble to the sculptor as there are impressions of missing teeth and other bones. We are uncertain as to the date of these fossilized human bones, but the calcite enclosed them over time so they are at least as old as the calcite. A most fascinating and unique artifact/human fossil, something this cataloguer hasn’t seen before. 7 ¾ in x 7 ¾ in x 5 ½ in (20 x 20 x 14 cm). Mounted on a rectangular stone base. Ex Los Angeles private collection.

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