Need help identifying creepy bone necklace

[zannew]

I bought this at an estate sale last week because it was so unusual. It looks like it's made of pieces of bone. Anyone have any information about bone necklaces? Any ideas about type of bone this is? It looks to me like the oval pieces could be vertebrae?

Thanks!

 

[Metro Retro Vintage]

They do look like vertebrae don't they? These cross cut ovals always remind me of oxtail, and would guess some kind of bovine.

 

[zannew]

Anyone else? Any idea of age or provenance?