An 11‑year‑old student unearthed a fragment of a steppe bison skull in the Vistula River, prompting experts to confirm the find and highlight its significance for understanding Pleistocene megafauna.
Discovery by a Young Enthusiast
Marcel Wroński, a 5th‑grade student from Zaborów, found a skull fragment with its braincase in the Vistula River and brought it to the Museum of Earth in Warsaw together with his mother.
Museum Experts Confirm the Find
Initial observations had suggested the relic belonged to the extinct aurochs (Bos primigenius). Detailed examinations conducted by museum staff, however, established that the skull fragment is part of a steppe bison (Bison priscus).
Scientific Significance of the Steppe Bison
The steppe bison once roamed vast areas of Europe and Asia during the Pleistocene and is considered the ancestor of today’s European bison (Bison bonasus). Fossils of this species are rare, so each discovery provides valuable insight into its evolution and the historical ecosystem of present‑day Poland.
A Heartfelt Thank You from the Museum
“Marcel’s keen eye and knowledge, combined with the low water level in the Vistula, made this find possible,” said the museum. “We thank him for donating the specimen and encourage others to share their discoveries with experts to preserve our shared history.”
Source: MiejskiReporter,
