Twee sprongbenen uit het gewricht van een oeros (vermoedelijk) before 1869

Here we have a photograph from an unknown date and by an anonymous photographer, of two astragali, or ankle bones, likely from an aurochs. The image is part of a larger work titled “La Seine aux âges anté-historiques,” which translates to “The Seine in Prehistoric Times.” Given the title, the photograph was likely produced in France. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, archaeology gained popularity as a way for nations to understand their origins and assert cultural prestige. The image invites us to consider the place of science within French society during this period, as well as the role of photography in documenting and disseminating scientific findings. It's worth asking how the institutional and cultural contexts of the time might have shaped the photographer's approach and the reception of the image. To understand its significance better, one could investigate the history of archaeology in France, the development of photography as a scientific tool, and the cultural fascination with prehistoric times.