DOCSLIB.ORG

Bit by Bit: an Iconographic Study of Horses in the Reliefs of the Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II (883-859BC)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Bit by Bit: an Iconographic Study of Horses in the Reliefs of the Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II (883-859BC) Bit by Bit: an Iconographic study of horses in the reliefs of the Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II (883-859BC) Stephanie Baldwin Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Stellenbosch Supervisor: Professor I. Cornelius April 2014 Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. December 2013 Copyright © 2014 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Abstract - English: The focus of this study is to investigate the role that horses played in the Ancient Near East, specifically during the reign of the Neo-Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II (883-859BC). By studying nine of the reliefs from the North-West Palace at Nimrud, the function of horses with regard to warfare during that time was explored. The analysis included an examination of all horses and equine tack, which consists of chariots, bridles, bits, breastplates and decorations. The reliefs are studied by using Erwin Panofsky’s Theoretical Scheme, which allows for three stages of analysis. Each of the reliefs is examined as a whole, in order to place the relief in context, followed by a detailed breakdown of the horses, specifically their body language, as well as their tack and the function thereof. It was found that the Assyrians used the horses’ body language to help set the tone of the relief, as the horses would display aggressive body language when under attack and relaxed body language when not under attack, for example reliefs showing parades or military camps. It was also noted that the horses of the enemies were illustrated in such a way as to show the prowess of the victorious Neo-Assyrian army. It was found that horses were instrumental in warfare as well as depicting status and rank within the military structures. Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Opsomming – Afrikaans: Die fokus van hierdie studie is om die rol wat perde in die Ou Nabye Ooste gespeel het, te ondersoek, spesifiek tydens die bewind van die Neo-Assiriese koning Ashurnasirpal II (883- 859 v.C.). Deur nege van die reliëfs van die Noordwes-Paleis by Nimrud te bestudeer, is die funksie van perde met betrekking tot oorlogvoering gedurende daardie tyd ondersoek. Die analise sluit ’n ondersoek van alle perde en perdetuig in, wat uit waens, tome, stange, borsplate en versierings bestaan. Die reliëfs word bestudeer deur Erwin Panofsky se Teoretiese Skema, wat vir drie fases van ontleding voorsiening maak, te gebruik. Elkeen van die reliëfs word as ’n geheel ondersoek, ten einde die reliëf in konteks te plaas, gevolg deur ’n volledige uiteensetting van die perde, spesifiek hul lyftaal, asook hul tuie en die funksie daarvan. Daar is gevind dat die Assiriërs die perde se lyftaal gebruik het om die toon van die reliëf te help stel. Die perde sou aggressiewe lyftaal vertoon wanneer hulle aangeval word en ontspanne lyftaal wanneer hulle nie aangeval word nie, byvoorbeeld reliëfs wat parades of militêre kampe wys. Daar is ook opgemerk dat die perde van die vyande op so ’n wyse geïllustreer is om die dapperheid/vaardigheid van die oorwinnende Neo-Assiriese leër te toon. Daar is gevind dat perde instrumenteel in oorlogvoering was asook dat hulle status en rang binne die militêre strukture uitgebeeld het. Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Acknowledgements I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor Izak Cornelius for his continuous support, guidance and encouragement throughout the course of this study. I would also like to thank Allison Bakker for her help with her invaluable assistance with the editing and I would lastly like to thank my husband, Garth Baldwin for his support and patience throughout this study. Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Table of Contents Chapter 1 ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1 1. Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Research Method and Design ...................................................................................................... 2 Chapter Two ..................................................................................................................................... 5 The Noble Horse ............................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 5 2.2 The Dawn Horse .......................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Domestication of the Horse .......................................................................................................... 9 2.4 The Evolution of Horse Tack ..................................................................................................... 11 2.4.1 The Bit and Bridle ............................................................................................................... 11 2.4.2 Riding and Saddles ............................................................................................................. 12 2.4.3 Wagons and Chariots .......................................................................................................... 13 2.4.4 Other Tack Explained ......................................................................................................... 15 2.5 Knowing the Horse .................................................................................................................... 15 2.5.1 Horse Anatomy ................................................................................................................... 16 2.5.2 Body Language ................................................................................................................... 16 2.5.2.1 The Ears ...................................................................................................................... 16 2.5.2.2 Facial Expressions ....................................................................................................... 18 2.5.2.3 Head Carriage ............................................................................................................. 22 2.5.2.4 The Legs ...................................................................................................................... 22 2.5.2.5 The Tail ....................................................................................................................... 24 2.5.3 The Gaits ............................................................................................................................ 26 2.5.3.1 The Walk ..................................................................................................................... 26 2.5.3.2 The Trot ....................................................................................................................... 27 2.5.3.3 The Canter ................................................................................................................... 28 2.5.3.4 The Gallop ................................................................................................................... 28 2.6 Summary ............................................................................................................................... 29 Chapter Three .................................................................................................................................. 30 Ashurnasirpal II ............................................................................................................................... 30 3.1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 30 3.2 Assyria ...................................................................................................................................... 30 3.2.1 Geographically.................................................................................................................... 30 Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za 3.2.2 Civilization, Politics and Kingship ...................................................................................... 32 3.2.3 The Mesopotamian Empires ................................................................................................ 35 3.3 Assyrian Empires....................................................................................................................... 36 3.3.1 Old Assyria (1812-1781
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Care of the Intact (Not Circumcised) Penis in the Young Child
    July 2016 Care of the Intact (Not Circumcised) Penis in the Young Child A publication of Doctors Opposing Circumcision www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org Seattle, Washington The only thing you need to care for an intact boy is a ruler to smack the hand of anyone who tries to retract him. – Allen L. Neese, M.D. Introduction Today, more and more boys in the United States and Canada are growing up with their natural genitals intact (not circumcised).[1,2] Unfortunately, American physicians – the product of a circumcising culture for at least several generations – may often be lacking in personal or clinical familiarity with the intact penis, and few have had any substantive education about the natural penis in their training.[3] Though with all good intentions, this lack of knowledge can lead to unnecessary care practices and erroneous advice that are more likely to actually cause foreskin problems than to prevent them. This page provides the background information health professionals must have to be able to provide safe care to intact boys and accurate care advice to their parents. Contrary to the common cultural myth, care of the intact penis in the young child is neither complicated nor difficult. The intact penis needs no special care or internal cleansing. The most important principles of intact penile care can be summarized very briefly: never forcibly retract the foreskin, avoid soap, and in general, leave it alone. The simplicity of care for the intact boy could not be otherwise, or none of us would be here. The human body is largely self-regulating and self-defending, a gift – or rather, a necessity – of evolution.
    [Show full text]
  • Of Vertebrate Fossils from the Middle Eocene Oil Shale of Messel, Germany: Implications for Their Taphonomy and Palaeoenvironment
    Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 416 (2014) 92–109 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/palaeo Isotope compositions (C, O, Sr, Nd) of vertebrate fossils from the Middle Eocene oil shale of Messel, Germany: Implications for their taphonomy and palaeoenvironment Thomas Tütken ⁎ Steinmann-Institut für Geologie, Mineralogie und Paläontologie, Universität Bonn, Poppelsdorfer Schloss, 53115 Bonn, Germany article info abstract Article history: The Middle Eocene oil shale deposits of Messel are famous for their exceptionally well-preserved, articulated 47- Received 15 April 2014 Myr-old vertebrate fossils that often still display soft tissue preservation. The isotopic compositions (O, C, Sr, Nd) Received in revised form 30 July 2014 were analysed from skeletal remains of Messel's terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates to determine the condition of Accepted 5 August 2014 geochemical preservation. Authigenic phosphate minerals and siderite were also analysed to characterise the iso- Available online 17 August 2014 tope compositions of diagenetic phases. In Messel, diagenetic end member values of the volcanically-influenced 12 Keywords: and (due to methanogenesis) C-depleted anoxic bottom water of the meromictic Eocene maar lake are isoto- Strontium isotopes pically very distinct from in vivo bioapatite values of terrestrial vertebrates. This unique taphonomic setting al- Oxygen isotopes lows the assessment of the geochemical preservation of the vertebrate fossils. A combined multi-isotope Diagenesis approach demonstrates that enamel of fossil vertebrates from Messel is geochemically exceptionally well- Enamel preserved and still contains near-in vivo C, O, Sr and possibly even Nd isotope compositions while bone and den- Messel tine are diagenetically altered.
    [Show full text]
  • The World at the Time of Messel: Conference Volume
    T. Lehmann & S.F.K. Schaal (eds) The World at the Time of Messel - Conference Volume Time at the The World The World at the Time of Messel: Puzzles in Palaeobiology, Palaeoenvironment and the History of Early Primates 22nd International Senckenberg Conference 2011 Frankfurt am Main, 15th - 19th November 2011 ISBN 978-3-929907-86-5 Conference Volume SENCKENBERG Gesellschaft für Naturforschung THOMAS LEHMANN & STEPHAN F.K. SCHAAL (eds) The World at the Time of Messel: Puzzles in Palaeobiology, Palaeoenvironment, and the History of Early Primates 22nd International Senckenberg Conference Frankfurt am Main, 15th – 19th November 2011 Conference Volume Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung IMPRINT The World at the Time of Messel: Puzzles in Palaeobiology, Palaeoenvironment, and the History of Early Primates 22nd International Senckenberg Conference 15th – 19th November 2011, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Conference Volume Publisher PROF. DR. DR. H.C. VOLKER MOSBRUGGER Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Editors DR. THOMAS LEHMANN & DR. STEPHAN F.K. SCHAAL Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany [email protected]; [email protected] Language editors JOSEPH E.B. HOGAN & DR. KRISTER T. SMITH Layout JULIANE EBERHARDT & ANIKA VOGEL Cover Illustration EVELINE JUNQUEIRA Print Rhein-Main-Geschäftsdrucke, Hofheim-Wallau, Germany Citation LEHMANN, T. & SCHAAL, S.F.K. (eds) (2011). The World at the Time of Messel: Puzzles in Palaeobiology, Palaeoenvironment, and the History of Early Primates. 22nd International Senckenberg Conference. 15th – 19th November 2011, Frankfurt am Main. Conference Volume. Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Frankfurt am Main. pp. 203.
    [Show full text]
  • Perissodactyla: Tapirus) Hints at Subtle Variations in Locomotor Ecology
    JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY 277:1469–1485 (2016) A Three-Dimensional Morphometric Analysis of Upper Forelimb Morphology in the Enigmatic Tapir (Perissodactyla: Tapirus) Hints at Subtle Variations in Locomotor Ecology Jamie A. MacLaren1* and Sandra Nauwelaerts1,2 1Department of Biology, Universiteit Antwerpen, Building D, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein, Wilrijk, Antwerp 2610, Belgium 2Centre for Research and Conservation, Koninklijke Maatschappij Voor Dierkunde (KMDA), Koningin Astridplein 26, Antwerp 2018, Belgium ABSTRACT Forelimb morphology is an indicator for order Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates). Modern terrestrial locomotor ecology. The limb morphology of the tapirs are widely accepted to belong to a single enigmatic tapir (Perissodactyla: Tapirus) has often been genus (Tapirus), containing four extant species compared to that of basal perissodactyls, despite the lack (Hulbert, 1973; Ruiz-Garcıa et al., 1985) and sev- of quantitative studies comparing forelimb variation in eral regional subspecies (Padilla and Dowler, 1965; modern tapirs. Here, we present a quantitative assess- ment of tapir upper forelimb osteology using three- Wilson and Reeder, 2005): the Baird’s tapir (T. dimensional geometric morphometrics to test whether bairdii), lowland tapir (T. terrestris), mountain the four modern tapir species are monomorphic in their tapir (T. pinchaque), and the Malayan tapir (T. forelimb skeleton. The shape of the upper forelimb bones indicus). Extant tapirs primarily inhabit tropical across four species (T. indicus; T. bairdii; T. terrestris; T. rainforest, with some populations also occupying pinchaque) was investigated. Bones were laser scanned wet grassland and chaparral biomes (Padilla and to capture surface morphology and 3D landmark analysis Dowler, 1965; Padilla et al., 1996). was used to quantify shape.
    [Show full text]
  • Critical Comments on the Genus Propachynolophus Lemoine, 1891 (Mammalia, Perissodactyla, Equoidea)
    ARTICLE Critical comments on the genus Propachynolophus Lemoine, 1891 (Mammalia, Perissodactyla, Equoidea) JEAN A. REMY Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution, UMR 5554 CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Université de Montpellier, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier cedex 5, France E-mail: [email protected] Abstract: The validity of Propachynolophus Lemoine, 1891, supposedly an intermediate between Hyracotherium Owen, 1841 and Pachynolophus Pomel, 1847, has been questioned for a long time. A detailed analysis of features on which this genus is based further supported by a formal cladistic analysis demonstrates that Propachynolophus is not a valid taxon. The type species, “Propachynolophus gaudryi Lemoine, 1891” shall be assigned to Propalaeotherium Gervais, 1849, under the new combination Propalaeotherium gaudryi (Lemoine, 1891). “Pachynolophus maldani Lemoine, 1878”, later assigned to Propachynolophus, typifies the new genus Orolophus, under the binomen Orolophus maldani (Lemoine, 1878). The other referred species, “Propachynolophus levei Hooker, 1994” and “P. remyi Checa-Soler, 1997” are poorly documented, and both species shall be provisionally referred to as “Hyracotherium” levei (Hooker, 1994) and “Hyracotherium” remyi (Checa-Soler, 1997), pending new discoveries. Keywords: Eocene, tooth morphology, Pachynolophus, Propalaeotherium, Eurohippus Submitted 8 December 2016, Accepted 3 August 2017 Published Online 27 September 2017, doi: 1018563/pv.41.1.e3 © Copyright Jean Remy September 2017 INTRODUCTION Propachynolophus gaudryi was “based upon miscellaneous isolated teeth and jaw fragments constituting a part of the fossil vertebrate sample collected in the vicinity of Epernay (Marne)” By their diversity and abundance, perissodactyls have played (Savage et al., 1965: 16), a sample known as the “Ageian a crucial role in the European Eocene mammalian faunas.
    [Show full text]
  • SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Tables, Figures and References
    Samuels et al. Evolution of the patellar sesamoid bone in mammals SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Tables, Figures and References Supplementary Table S1: Mammals$ Higher taxa Genus sp. Estimated. age of Patellar Comments# (partial) specimen, location state 0/1/2 (absent/ ‘patelloid’/ present) Sinoconodonta Sinoconodon Jurassic 0 Patellar groove absent, suggests no rigneyi (Kielan- patella Jaworowska, Cifelli & Luo, Sinoconodon is included on our 2004) phylogeny within tritylodontids. Morganucodonta Megazostrodon Late Triassic, southern 0 rudnerae (Jenkins Africa & Parrington, 1976) Morganucodonta Eozostrodon sp. Late Triassic, Wales 0 Asymmetric patellar groove, (Jenkins et al., specimens disarticulated so it is hard 1976) to assess the patella but appears absent Docodonta Castorocauda 164 Mya, mid-Jurassic, 0 Semi-aquatic adaptations lutrasimilis (Ji, China Luo, Yuan et al., 2006) Docodonta Agilodocodon 164 Mya, mid-Jurassic, 0 scansorius China (Meng, Ji, Zhang et al., 2015) Docodonta Docofossor 160 Mya 0 brachydactylus (Luo, Meng, Ji et al., 2015) Docodonta Haldanodon 150-155 Mya, Late 0 Shallow patellar groove exspectatus Jurassic, Portugal (Martin, 2005b) Australosphenida Asfaltomylos Mid-Jurassic, South ? Postcranial material absent patagonicus America (Martin, 2005a) Australosphenida Ornithorhynchus Extant 2 Platypus, genome sequenced Monotremata anatinus (Warren, Hillier, Marshall Graves et (Herzmark, 1938; al., 2008) Rowe, 1988) Samuels et al. Australosphenida Tachyglossus + Extant 2 Echidnas Monotremata Zaglossus spp. (Herzmark, 1938; Rowe, 1988) Mammaliaformes Fruitafossor 150 Mya, Late Jurassic, 0 Phylogenetic status uncertain indet. windscheffeli (Luo Colorado & Wible, 2005) Mammaliaformes Volaticotherium Late Jurassic/Early ? Hindlimb material incomplete indet. antiquus (Meng, Cretaceous Hu, Wang et al., 2006) Eutriconodonta Jeholodens 120-125 Mya, Early 0 Poorly developed patellar groove jenkinsi (Ji, Luo Cretaceous, China & Ji, 1999) Eutriconodonta Gobiconodon spp.
    [Show full text]
  • New Early Eocene Basal Tapiromorph from Southern China and Its Phylogenetic Implications
    New Early Eocene Basal tapiromorph from Southern China and Its Phylogenetic Implications Bin Bai1,2*, Yuanqing Wang1*, Jin Meng2,1, Qian Li1, Xun Jin1 1 Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, 2 Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America Abstract A new Early Eocene tapiromorph, Meridiolophus expansus gen. et sp. nov., from the Sanshui Basin, Guangdong Province, China, is described and discussed. It is the first reported Eocene mammal from the basin. The new taxon, represented by a left fragmentary mandible, is characterized by an expanded anterior symphyseal region, a long diastema between c1 and p1, a rather short diastema between p1 and p2, smaller premolars relative to molars, an incipient metaconid appressed to the protoconid on p3, a prominent entoconid on p4, molar metaconid not twinned, cristid obliqua extending mesially and slightly lingually from the hypoconid, inclined metalophid and hypolophid, and small hypoconulid on the lower preultimate molars. Meridiolophus is morphologically intermediate between basal Homogalax-like taxa and derived tapiromorphs (such as Heptodon). Phylogenetic analysis indicates Equidae is more closely related to Tapiromorpha than to Palaeotheriidae, although the latter is only represented by a single species Pachynolophus eulaliensis. ‘Isectolophidae’, with exception of Meridiolophus and Karagalax, has the closest affinity with Chalicotherioidea. Furthermore, the majority rule consensus tree shows that Meridiolophus is closer to Karagalax than to any other ‘isectolophid’, and both genera represent stem taxa to crown group Ceratomorpha. Citation: Bai B, Wang Y, Meng J, Li Q, Jin X (2014) New Early Eocene Basal tapiromorph from Southern China and Its Phylogenetic Implications.
    [Show full text]
  • This Item Is the Archived Peer-Reviewed Author-Version Of
    This item is the archived peer-reviewed author-version of: Modern tapirs as morphofunctional analogues for locomotion in endemic eocene European perissodactyls Reference: Maclaren Jamie, Nauw elaerts Sandra.- Modern tapirs as morphofunctional analogues for locomotion in endemic eocene European perissodactyls JOURNAL OF MAMMALIAN EVOLUTION - ISSN 1064-7554 - (2019), p. 1-19 Full text (Publisher's DOI): https://doi.org/10.1007/S10914-019-09460-1 To cite this reference: https://hdl.handle.net/10067/1580640151162165141 Institutional repository IRUA 1 TITLE: 2 Modern tapirs as morphofunctional analogues for locomotion 3 in endemic Eocene European perissodactyls 4 Jamie A. MacLaren1* and Sandra Nauwelaerts1,2 5 6 1 Department of Biology, Universiteit Antwerpen, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein, Wilrijk, 7 Antwerp, 2610 (Belgium). 8 2 Center for Research and Conservation, Koninklijke Maatschappij voor Dierkunde (KMDA), 9 Koningin Astridplein 26, Antwerp, 2018 (Belgium). 10 11 12 * Corresponding Author 13 14 15 Corresponding Author: Jamie MacLaren, Room D.1.41, Department of Biology, Universiteit 16 Antwerpen, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein, Wilrijk, Antwerp, 2610 (Belgium) 17 18 ORCID: 19 JM (0000-0003-4177-227X) 20 SN (0000-0002-2289-4477) 21 Abstract 22 Tapirs have historically been considered as ecologically analogous to several groups of extinct 23 perissodactyls based on dental and locomotor morphology. Here, we investigate comparative 24 functional morphology between living tapirs and endemic Eocene European perissodactyls to 25 ascertain whether tapirs represent viable analogues for locomotion in palaeotheres and lophiodontids. 26 Forelimb bones from 20 species of Eocene European perissodactyls were laser scanned and 27 compared to a forelimb dataset of extant Tapirus. Bone shape was quantified using 3D geometric 28 morphometrics; coordinates were Procrustes aligned and compared using Principal Component 29 Analysis and neighbor-joining trees.
    [Show full text]
  • Packing with Horses & Mules
    Back Country Horsemen of Montana PACKING WITH HORSES & MULES Horsemen’s Creed—When I ride out of the mountains, I’ll leave only hoof prints, take only memories. The purpose of this packing booklet is to provide basic information in an organized manner to help you learn about horses and equipment and to effectively plan and take pack trips in the back country. Use of qualified persons to help with the teaching of packing fundamentals and back country safety will make packing easier and more fun. Packing as a hobby, or as a business, can be very enjoyable with the proper equipment, a basic knowledge of the horse, good camping equipment, a sound trip itinerary, well-thought-out menus, and other details will help to make a well-rounded pack trip. The Back Country Horsemen of Montana is dedicated to protecting, preserving and improving the back country resource by volunteering time and equipment to government agencies for such tasks as clearing trails, building trails, building trailhead facilities, packing out trash and other projects that will benefit both horsemen and non-horsemen. Mission Statement To perpetuate the common sense use and enjoyment of horses in America’s back country, roadless backcountry and wilderness areas; To work to ensure that public lands remain open to recreational stock use; To assist the various government and private agencies in their maintenance and management of said resource; To educate, encourage and solicit active participation by the general public in the wise and sustaining use of the back country resource by horses and people commensurate with our heritage; To foster and encourage the formation of new state back country horsemen organizations; To seek out opportunities to enhance existing areas of recreation for stock users.
    [Show full text]
  • Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections
    SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOLUME 149, NUMBER 2 CljarlesJ ©. anb iWarp "^aux OTalcott 3Res;earcf) jFunb A STUDY OF THE EARLY TERTIARY CONDYLARTHRAN MAMMAL MENISCOTHERIUM (With U Plates) By C. LEWIS GAZIN Curator, Division of Vertebrate Paleontology U. S. National Museum Smithsonian Institution (Publication 4605) CITY OF WASHINGTON PUBLISHED BY THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION MAY 10, 1965 LIBRARY OF THE AMBKICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOLUME 149, NUMBER 2 Cfjatles; JB. anb JHarp "^aux OTalcott iResicarcf) jFunb A STUDY OF THE EARLY TERTIARY CONDYLARTHRAN MAMMAL MENISCOTHERIUM (With 11 Plates) By C. LEWIS GAZIN Curator, Division of Vertebrate Paleontology U. S. National Museum Smithsonian Institution <s»I^****»5?' (Publication 4605) CITY OF WASHINGTON PUBLISHED BY THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION MAY 10, 1965 PORT CITY PRESS, INC. BALTIMORE, MD., U. S. A. CONTENTS Page Introduction 1 Acknowledgments 2 History of investigation 3 Geographic and geologic occurrence 9 Environment 13 Classification 20 The skeleton of Meniscotherium, with notes on Phenacodns, Hyopsodns, and other condylarths 22 Skull 22 Endocranial cast 35 Mandible 39 Dentition 41 Vertebrae 45 Scapula 50 Humerus 51 Radius SZ Ulna 54 Manus 55 Pelvic girdle 64 Femur 65 Tibia 67 Fibula 69 Pes 70 Summary of relationships 81 References 90 Explanation of plates 96 ILLUSTRATIONS PLATES (All plates following p. 98.) 1. Mcniscothcrunn skull from the early Eocene of Wyoming. 2. Meniscotherium skull from the early Eocene of Wyoming. 3. Meniscotherium from the early Eocene of Wyoming. 4. Meniscotherium type specimens. 5. Meniscotherium dentitions from the early Eocene of Wyoming. 6. Meniscotherium humerus and scapula from the early Eocene of Wyoming.
    [Show full text]
  • The Eocene Ge
    Anuário do Instituto de Geociências - UFRJ www.anuario.igeo.ufrj.br The Former Geiseltal Museum (1934-2011), the Eocene Geiseltal Fossilagerstätte (Germany) and the Scientific Meaning of Ben Barnes as a Pioneer of Systematic Quantitative Vertebrate Excavations in the Geiseltal Lignites O Antigo Museu Geiseltal (1934-2011), a Fossilagerstätte Eocênica Geiseltal (Alemanha) e o Significado Científico de Ben Barnes como Pioneiro das Escavações Quantitativas Sistemáticas de Vertebrados nos Linhitos Geiseltal Meinolf Hellmund† Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Zentralmagazin Naturwissenschaftlicher Sammlungen, Geiseltalsammlung, Domplatz 4, 06108, Halle, Saale, Germany. †in memoriam E-mail: [email protected] Recebido em: 22/02/2017 Aprovado em: 20/02/2018 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11137/2018_1_108_119 Abstract The Geiseltal was a productive area for mining of lignite (brown coal) for about 100 years in central Germany (state of Saxony-Anhalt). Recognition of the scientific value of its famous fossil content came about in the 1920s, and from the early 1930s onwards Geiseltal is known as a unique Eocene terrestrial/palustrial Fossillagerstätte. During your professorship and position as Head of the geological Institute in Halle (Saale) in the 1920s, he focused more and more on the famous and outstanding finds of fossils in the middle Eocene brown coal of the Geiseltal. Ben Barnes was the pioneer of systematic and quantitative vertebrate excavations in the Geiseltal lignites. With his successful work, undertaken using with modern scientific aspects of his time, he gave rise for many other researchers to do so in the same way and to contribute step by step in reconstructing the geological and palaeontological history of fauna, flora and palaeoenvironment etc.
    [Show full text]
  • Zur Paläogeographie Und Stammesgeschichte Der Eozänen
    ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature Zeitschrift/Journal: Hercynia Jahr/Year: 1970 Band/Volume: 7 Autor(en)/Author(s): Matthes Horst Werner Artikel/Article: Zur Paläogeographie und Stammesgeschichte der eozänen Wirbeltiere des Geiseltales 199-249 ©Univeritäts- und Landesbibliothek Sachsen-Anhalt, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg Zur Paläogeographie und Stammesgeschichte der eozänen Wirbeltiere des Geiseltales Von Horst Wcrner Matthes Mit 45 Abbildungen (Eingegangen am 29. April 1969) Inhalt 1. Einl•eitung 199 2. Die Fische 200 3. Die Amphibien 204 4. Die Reptilien 209 5. Die Vögel 216 6. Die Säugetiere 220 7. Schluij 243 8. Zusammenfassung 243 Schrifttum 245 1. Einleitung Das Studium der fo ssilen Wirbeltiere hat in den letzten Jahrzehnten weltweit einen gro.fjen Aufschwung genommen. Es gibt hierfür verschiedene Gründe: Die Frage nach dem Woher und Wohin ist trotz der ungeheuren Bereicherung unseres Wissens seit dem vorigen Jahrhundert auch heute noch genau so aktuell und bren­ nend. Die gro.fjen Probleme der Evolution können nicht nur durch Betrachtung der letzten rezenten Bilder dieses erregenden Geschehens gelöst werden. Nur die Palä• ontologie kann die einzelnen Szenen de: Vergangenheit in der richtigen Reihen­ folge, im Strom der Zeit ordnen. Die aUgemeinen Regelhaftigkeiten der Evolution sind besoer am Innenskelett der Wirbeltiere als am Aufjenskelett der Wirbellosen, das den Umwelteinflüssen in weit stärkerem Ma.fje preisgegeben ist, zu studieren. Di.e Vergleichende Anatomie und Morphologie haben neben ihrem Beitrag zum Aus­ bau des natürlichen Systems besonders auch die Aufgabe, den Ablauf des Evolutions­ geschehens zu erforschen. Die Wirbeltierpaläontologie ist eng mit der Vergleichenden Anatomie verbun­ den.
    [Show full text]