Schedel van een oeros, en profil before 1869

This haunting profile of an aurochs skull comes to us from an unknown hand. What does it mean to look at an image of something that no longer exists? Consider the historical and cultural implications of representing extinct species. This image exists within a complex intersection of science, history, and art. The aurochs, a wild ancestor of domestic cattle, disappeared due to hunting and habitat loss. It is a potent symbol of human impact on the natural world. As you gaze into the empty eye sockets of this skull, think about our relationship with the animal kingdom. Does this image evoke a sense of loss, or does it speak to human dominance over nature? The starkness of the image invites reflection on themes of extinction and the narratives we construct around our past. What stories do we tell ourselves about progress and its cost?