2,200-year-old Carthaginian war elephant bone found in Spain. Elephant ankle bone (carpal) identified as first physical evidence of Carthaginian war elephant in Spain Found at fortified settlement on Guadalquivir River near Córdoba, southern Spain Radiocarbon dating places bone between 4th-3rd centuries BC, during Second Punic War
An elephant ankle bone from a Guadalquivir settlement is the first physical proof of Carthaginian war elephants in Spain, dated to around 2200 years ago during the Second Punic War. The carpal matches a right foot structure. 🐘
Key Facts
- Elephant ankle bone (carpal) identified as first physical evidence of Carthaginian war elephant in Spain
- Found at fortified settlement on Guadalquivir River near Córdoba, southern Spain
- Radiocarbon dating places bone between 4th-3rd centuries BC, during Second Punic War
- Size and structure matches right foot of elephant used by Carthaginian forces
- 12 smooth stone balls found at site interpreted as catapult projectiles
- Evidence indicates Carthaginian unit camped nearby during war
- Probably not survivor of Hannibal's Alpine march into Italy
- First physical evidence supporting ancient written accounts of war elephants in Iberian campaign
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