Buffalo or steer skull. During the Westward migration, the Oregon Trail was one of the main routes taken by early settlers. It was common for travelers to leave notes of their progress for those following behind them. This is an extremely rare surviving example. The skull was probably mounted on a pole or left by a large feature on the trail for others to notice. The head reads: “Pioneers camped here June 3 ’47 (1847) making 15 miles today all well Elisha Stevens”. The skull measures around 18 inches x 20.5 inches. The piece is in remarkably good condition for its age. There are some areas of loose joints but everything is still together. Measures 18 x 20.5 inches