[Bonetools] Bone ID, perforated teeth

[Hans Christian Küchelmann]

Dear imola,

the first four teeth on the first two pictures are lower incisors of Artiodactyla, Judged by the size, they are too large for roe deer (Capreoulus capreolus) or sheep or goat (Ovis / Capra). Sizewise they are in the range of a larger species like red deer, elk, cattle or aurochs. It should be possible to get closer, but I would not dare without direct comparison in a reference collection.

No. 5 and 6 on the first two photos are canines of carnivores, as you correctly assumed. No. 5 is an upper canine, no. 6 a lower one. The tooth on the last two pictures is a lower canine as well. These three teeth display mesial ridges, which are shaped like that of the Canidae family. They are comparatively large and are probably of one of the larger species, e. g. wolf.

I am not sure about the upper canine on the pictures 3 and 4. 

In all cases secure identification should be possible with a reference collection. I would recommend to consult the reference collections in Iasi or Bucharest.

Best wishes

Christian
--
Knochenarbeit 

Hans Christian Küchelmann 

Speicherhof 4, D-28217 Bremen, Germany 
tel: +49 - 421 - 61 99 177 
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ORCID-ID: 0000-0003-0207-3804

> Am 11.06.2026 um 08:45 schrieb Imola Kelemen <imonox at yahoo.com>:
> 
> Dear colleagues,
> 
> I realize this is a bit of a novice question, but a friend of mine is asking if it’s possible to identify these teeth (8 pieces – see attached images) to a specific species. Personally, I’ve run into some difficulties; aside from the fact that they are from carnivore, I wouldn’t feel comfortable saying anything more. Could you help? Can we say anything further about them?
> 
> They are findings from a cave in Romania (Bihor County), so its dating is uncertain.
> 
> Thank you in advance!
> 
> All the best!
> 
> Imola
> 
> 
> 
> Dr. Imola Kelemen 
> archaeozoologist
> Muzeul Secuiesc al Ciucului 
> 530132 Miercurea Ciuc, RO Piata Cetatii Nr. 2. 
> Tel./Fax. +40 266 311 727 www.csikimuzeum.ro
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