Ursus Speleus
Ursus Spelaeus, commonly known as the cave bear, stood out from its modern counterparts due to its larger size, which could surpass even that of today’s kodiak bear (Ursus arctos middendorffi). Characterised by a shorter and taller skull compared to present-day brown bears, the teeth of this formidable creature suggested a diet leaning towards a more carnivorous lifestyle. With a massive build and long, strong claws, cave bears possessed formidable tools that could pose a threat to prehistoric humans. Indeed, they often competed with our ancestors for access to caves, their preferred habitat. However, despite their dominance during the Pleistocene era, cave bears became extinct approximately 10,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age, leaving no descendants. Remarkably, numerous well-preserved remains of these creatures have been discovered in caves across Central Europe. Abundant bone deposits have been documented in countries such as Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and even the United Kingdom. In Italy, notable sites where cave bear remains have been unearthed include the Buco del Piombo in Lombardy, the Grotte di Toirano in Liguria, and the karstic caves of Monte Fenera in Piedmont. It is evident that these majestic creatures sought refuge in the depths of caves, where many of them entered hibernation, with some never awakening again. The bones of these animals have been discovered since ancient times, often sparking legends of mythical beings such as dragons or griffins. Even as late as the 17th century, skulls of deformed creatures with vaguely human-like features were believed to inhabit the depths of forests and mountains in central Europe. Little did people know that these mysterious skulls were actually remnants of cave bears, a fact that would only be revealed to the scientific world a few years later.
