The aurochs is an extinct bovine mammal. The scientific name (Bos primigenius) translates as "primordial Ox". According to the Paleontological Museum at the University of Oslo, aurochs evolved in India two million years ago, migrated to the Near East, reaching Europe 250,000 years ago. A direct descendant of the species is Bos taurus, the popular Cow.
The South Asian domestic cow, zebu, may be descended from another related species, the gaur, although some consider it to be just a species that evolved separately from the aurochs. Modern cows are much smaller than wild ancestors: the height of a domestic cow is 1.4 meters, while aurochs reached heights of almost two meters.
The aurochs appeared in the Himalayas and after spreading, they eventually resulted in 3 distinct breeds: European, Asian and african aurochs. The aurochs, who also lived in our country was an impressive animal, larger than the bison or bison and more aggressive than the african buffalo.
It is considered by many the ancestor of all breeds of domestic cattle, males often exceeded the weight of one ton. It was a very strong, aggressive and dominant animal. Thanks to the qualities, the coat of arms and the perennial symbol of Moldova became the history of the aurochs is common with that of the bison. It was studied by Professor Eugen christened since 1913.
Aurochs were drawn in many cave paintings, such as those at Lascaux and Livernon in France, indicating the spread of this animal, whose life force was attributed to magical qualities. The aurochs survived the Iron Age in Anatolia and the Near East, being considered a sacred animal, the Lunar Bull being associated with the Great Goddess and then with Mithra.
It was the symbol of the Principality of Moldova, now part of the national coat of arms of Romania and the state coat of arms of the Republic Of Moldova. In the South Caucasus and Northern Mesopotamia, the domestication of aurochs began around 5000 I.Ch.
In an archaeological dig in Peterborough, England, an aurochs skull was discovered in which the front part was removed, but the horns remained attached. It is assumed that the killing of the aurochs was an act of sacrifice with religious significance. The last recorded live aurochs was hunted by poachers in 1627 in Jaktorow forest, Poland.
