Megaloceros. The ice age giant deer of Ireland and some Dutch connections

Megaloceros giganteus is a species of gigantic deer, or ‘reuzenhert’ in Dutch. The classic locality is Ireland but these animals ranged widely across Europe and much farther east into Asia. They are found throughout the Pleistocene, but are most abundant in sediments of latest Pleistocene age. Many examples have been found in Doggerland, and fragments of antler, jaws, teeth and other bones have been discovered along the Dutch coastline. Their fossils have attracted attention for over 400 years. They have been called ‘Irish Elk’ because of their large flat antlers, similar to true elk. Dutch settlers in Ireland as far back as the 17th century have contributed to discoveries that ended up in English royal palaces and Irish castles.