22 Palaeotherium medium (standing)

3D Model

Palaeotherium means simply ‘ancient beast’. These mammals lived during the Eocene Epoch some 44–33 million years ago – not too long in geological terms after the extinction of the dinosaurs. They were browsing, hoofed herbivores and early members of the horse lineage. They probably lacked the short trunks Hawkins gave these early reconstructions.

The sculptures of these animals have suffered particularly badly from vandalism and other mistreatment. There were once three, one large (Palaeotherium magnum), one medium-sized (Palaeotherium medium) and one small (‘Palaeotherium minus’, now called Plagiolophus minor). This standing one is Palaeotherium medium. Palaeotherium magnum disappeared altogether some time after 1961, based on the citizen science photo archive project, Dinosaur Monitor.

Model by HE Geospatial Survey Team ©Historic England