Skull of a bear. Hunting trophies

Since ancient times, trophies have adorned the homes of the best hunters, providing an irrefutable proof of the strength and prowess of the owners. Often animal skins and bones were used for religious purposes: protected settlements from evil spirits and hostile entities, were used by shamans and healers for rituals and rituals, decorated altars and temples.

A special place among other trophies and totem amulets is occupied by skins, bones and parts of the body of large animals, hunting on which invariably was associated with a real risk: bears, wolves, wild boars. Many people believed that the one who emerged victorious from the fight with a dangerous beast, is worthy of praise and respect, and the hunters of all nations and times carefully treated the trophies, and cherished them as if they were fighting awards. This tradition is still alive today.

But keeping the skull of the fallen beast in its proper form is not an easy task, having many nuances. Our article will tell you how to treat the bear's skull so that it can be stored in the interior.

Archaeological finds

As an example, the Azikh cave (Nagorno-Karabakh), whose research began in the second half of the last century, can be cited. Among the primitive tools and household utensils archeologists found a neat little group of bear skulls, built between stones. It is already impossible to establish what exactly it was - hunting trophies, ritual attributes or decorations of a home. One thing is clear: the owner of the shore is a collection.

The inhabitants of the cave were Neanderthals. As we see, even in those distant times (about 300 thousand years ago), the bear's skull was considered a cult thing worthy of its place in the hiding place.

This example is far from the only one. Similar finds are found all over the planet. Many peoples, cut off from the big world by snow deserts and dense forests, and today treat such trophies with the same reverence.

Meaning of the skull of a bear and its parts in different cultures

Sharp, slightly curved bear fangs from time immemorial used in oberezhnyh purposes. The peoples of the Russian North, pre-Columbian America, the Himalayan Mountains and other places where bears live, always believed that they could not find better protection from the evil eye and hostile forces than the bearish tooth. But if earlier they were supposed to be worn only by a hunter who overcame the beast, today such amulets are offered by many souvenir shops and specialized shops.

Samoyeds and now, going on a hunt, "armed" with amulets from bear teeth that scare away forest spirits, do not allow them to befuddle, confuse people. The Nanais hung their teeth above the cradle of the baby, so that the spirit of a strong bear would protect it.

It is also known about cases of using the lower jaw. Some ancient Slavic peoples believed that it could help treat diseases. Indians of the Assiniboin tribe made knives from half of the lower jaw, which, according to their old beliefs, made the owner invincible.

Evenks used the skull or the head of a bear for a long time to give unbreakable vows. Many Siberian peoples had the same custom. On the head of the bear the leaders swore allegiance to the Russian princes.

On Yamal, it is customary to spread the altar with bear skulls, on which gifts are presented (mostly oil and vodka). Tuvans prefer not to touch the found bear's bones. The place on which the skull of the owner of the forests rests is considered sacred. It is accepted to treat it with great respect, so that intelligent children will be born in the family. But to one who is not sufficiently respectful, is destined to produce into the light of some fools - as the old people of the Tuvalard claim.

Hunting trophy

Of course, ancient legends are not alive everywhere. But in any civilization, a successful bear hunter enjoys honor. Therefore, anyone who has been fortunate enough to emerge victorious from a dangerous fight, strives to preserve the memory and testimonies about this day for a long time. And if someone likes the taxidermist-trained heads, then many prefer to keep a laconic bearish skull. Especially valuable is such a trophy, if it is not only obtained, but also prepared with his own hands.

Features of the structure

The bear's skull has an oblong shape. The facial section is extended, the cheekbones are well defined, the powerful jaw attracts attention.

When preparing the specimen, you need to keep your teeth and all the small parts. Unevenness is usually subjected to polishing and polishing, then the skull looks more aesthetically pleasing.

The color depends on the decoration. Ideally, it should be a light-milk or similar shade of ivory. Yellowness is a sign of poor-quality processing.

The skull of a brown bear, obtained from an adult animal, is quite impressive in size. The incisors and fangs are pronounced, but the remaining teeth are usually small, can be reduced. This is due to the mixed type of feeding the beast. In total, you can detect about forty teeth during processing.

Preparatory work

The first thing the bear's head should be rid of is skin, fat, tendons and muscles. Experienced hunters know that it is impossible to operate with a knife and any other metal object - there is a great risk of scratching the bone. Through the hole in the back of the head with the help of a wire wound into a spiral, it is necessary to remove the brain. It is unlikely that it will be possible to completely empty the skull, but one should strive to take out as much as possible.

Then follows washing. Since ancient times, rivers and streams have been used for this purpose. It is worth saying that there is nothing better in our time. Secure the skull with ropes, securely tie to a tree or peg on the shore and leave for a day.

Digestion

As well as running water would work, the digestion process can not be avoided. It is desirable to use clean river, rain or spring water. Immerse the skull of the bear in cold water. You need to remove the foam.

Bone seams become weaker, teeth can fall out. You need to carefully collect them to later fix in the holes. Remains of tissues remove with tweezers and scraper.

Again leave the skull in running water, this time for 8 hours. Dry it in the shade, in a draft.

Degreasing

The bear's skull is well placed in the bucket. Make a 10% solution of ammonia and immerse the skull in it for a day. Next, wipe the bones with chloroform, gasoline or ether to remove fat.

The next step is to fill all cavities with cotton or gauze tampons. So that they do not fall out, the skull is tied with twine or bandages. A solution of hydrogen peroxide will give the trophy the necessary shade.

Polishing

The skull of an adult bear often has irregularities, roughness. They look unaesthetic, besides they collect dust. For polishing use a mixture of one part of the "tortured" chalk and two parts of Viennese lime. Apply the paste with a cloth and polishing movements.

Do not cover the bone with varnish. It is better to use colorless paraffin.

Bear skull in the interior

To give the product a finished look, it is fastened to the wood. A bear's skull can become an excellent decoration of a hunting room, an armory room, a restaurant in the appropriate style. It does not require care, it is enough to brush off the dust from time to time.

Well, those who do not like hunting, but want to settle in their house such an unusual piece of jewelry, today can easily find any copy on sale. The cost of a qualitatively crafted bear skull on average is 8-10 thousand rubles.