Jane Pudsey chose….

A fossil antler from a Red Deer or Great Elk

I chose this for a number of reasons. I've always been fascinated by the idea of being able to find such ancient things with relative ease, and that, even if fragile, they can be so well preserved. This one is robust, has a wonderfully interesting texture and the diameter and balance invites you to wield it as weapon or tool. The form of the fossil is familiar, but if proportion between antler and beast is the same as now, I wouldn't be too keen on meeting its owner. It was found in East Anglia, came to Coventry by chance and was given a permanent home in the museum, in the year I made the same journey for a job - and also stayed.

Jane Pudsey is the Herbert's Senior Conservator

What the curator says:

Red deer (Cervus elaphus) or giant deer (Megaloceros giganteus) antler

This antler is from an adult male deer. It was found washed up on a beach in Norfolk by a Coventry naturalist. It is difficult to be sure which of the two species this fossil came from.

Red deer are one of the largest deer species, and they roamed across Europe in herds during the last ice age. They were an important source of meat, furs, bone and antler for Palaeolithic hunters.

Giant deer, or Irish elks, were one of the largest deer that ever lived. The species first appeared about 400,000 years ago and the last know specimen has been dated to 7,700 years ago.