Aurochs, «AWR
ahks,» also called urus, is the name of a kind of
extinct wild ox. Aurochs are the ancestors of present-day domestic (tame)
cattle. After the most recent ice age, which ended about 11,500 years ago, aurochs
were spread across Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. Cattle were domesticated
by about 8,500 years ago, probably in northern Europe or in India and the Middle
East. It is believed they arose from two types of aurochs, one with humps and
one without. Aurochs populations were gradually reduced as people hunted them
and civilization destroyed their habitats. The last aurochs died in a game preserve
in Poland in 1627.
Scientific Classification. Aurochs belonged to the bovid family, Bovidae.
Their scientific name is Bos taurus.
Contributor:
• William L. Franklin, Ph.D., Mammalian Wildlife Ecologist, Iowa State University.
