Fragments of prehistoric animal bones were recently discovered during an archaeological excavation conducted by the Brussels Urban Agency at the construction site of the Toots Thielemans subway station in the capital city of Brussels.
According to a reporter in Belgium, Bea De Cupere, a zoologist at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, reported the finding of a femur and a piece of mammoth ivory along with antlers and the lower jaw of a red deer or giant deer (Megaloceros).
Reconstruction image of the woolly mammoth published by Nature magazine on February 17, 2021. (Photo: AFP/TTXVN).
According to this expert, this is a rare discovery as these artifacts were found at a depth of 8-9 meters within sediment layers originating from the last Ice Age (approximately 120,000 to 11,700 years ago).
In the absence of related artifacts, radiocarbon dating is the only method that can provide a more accurate dating of these findings.
The bones are currently being analyzed at the urban archaeological laboratory and will soon be sent to the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences for precise identification and appropriate preservation treatment.
Previously, the last recorded discoveries from prehistory were in 2018, when a piece of mammoth ivory was found during the construction of a parking lot on Quatrecht Street in the Schaerbeek district of Brussels.
Following the analysis and protective measures, the Brussels Urban Agency will begin to consider displaying these findings for the public’s wider awareness.
Such archaeological excavations are not uncommon. The Brussels Urban Agency regularly conducts archaeological studies throughout the Brussels-Capital Region.
The goal is to discover and preserve part of the archaeological treasure that can be uncovered but is also at risk of rapid destruction during construction work or building projects.
The Secretary of State for Brussels Heritage, Ans Persoons, stated that the discovery of mammoth bones dating back over 11,000 years in the heart of Brussels is a rare and special event.
Thanks to the archaeological work carried out by the Brussels Urban Agency across various projects, not only archaeological treasures related to human history are being uncovered, but also the flora and fauna of the region. This presents an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the past, the history of the territory, and to showcase artifacts to the public.
