Elephas (Palaeoloxodon) antiquus was a notably large-bodied elephant, with long, almost straight, tusks.
Teeth can quite closely resemble the African Elephant Loxodonta africanus at times, hence the name Palaeoloxodon which is often used as a distinct generic name.
Elephas (Palaeoloxodon) antiquus was first defined on the basis of remains of probable OIS 5c date from the caves of the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, most notably Bacon Hole and Minchin Hole.
Elephas (Palaeoloxodon) antiquus is quite commonly found in suitable environmental settings as complete or partial skeletons and is also commonly well preserved. Notably good examples of this species have been found at sites in London
One of the more famous examples is the “Lower Elephant” which was found immediately underlying the skeleton of a Steppe Mammoth at Aveley in Essex.
Isolated elements such as teeth or limb bones do turn up in more sorted, gravel-rich conditions in many river systems. In Britain this species is often found in association with remains of hippopotamus in early Last Interglacial deposits (OIS substage 5e), about 125,000 years old.