Researchers in Russia recently unveiled the remains of a 50,000-year-old baby mammoth, nicknamed "Yana," marking an unparalleled discovery in paleontology, New York Post reported.
Residents in eastern Siberia noticed parts of the mammoth calf protruding from the melting permafrost of the Batagaika crater, sparking immediate scientific interest. This exquisite find became possible thanks to their observant eyes.
Researchers have identified the young mammoth as a female, estimating her age at just one year old at the time of death. She measures 47 inches in height and weighs more than 220 pounds, indicating her considerable size even at a tender age.
What truly distinguishes Yana is her exceptional state of preservation. The remains showed no damage to the head, trunk, ears, and mouth. This level of preservation is incredibly rare and significant, as expressed by Anatoly Nikolaev, rector of the Lazarev Mammoth Museum Laboratory at the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk. He noted, "There were no signs of damage to the head, trunk, ears, and mouth."
The Batagaika crater, sometimes referred to as the "gateway to the underworld," is about 1 kilometer deep. This site is not just known for the discovery of Yana but has also revealed remains of other ancient animals. Previously, scientists have retrieved carcasses of bison, horses, and dogs from this same location.
Maxim Cherpasov to Reuters signifies how the preservation of such samples usually faces challenges from the environment and predators, he elaborated:
As a rule, the part that thaws out first, especially the trunk, is often eaten by modern predators or birds. Here, for example, even though the forelimbs have already been eaten, the head is remarkably well preserved.
This discovery places Yana among only seven mammoth carcasses recovered globally that are known to science. Her remains will be studied intensively at the North-Eastern Federal University's mammoth research center and museum.
The find in June adds to the knowledge pool about these ancient creatures. NEFU scientists were quick to underline the importance of this recovery, stating in a press release that "Yana is the best-preserved in the world."
Experts highlight how the thawing permafrost could reveal more such finds, which poses both an opportunity and a challenge for preservation efforts.
Locals at Batagaika, due to their unique geographical positioning, were crucial in uncovering this significant specimen, said Maxim Cherpasov via Russian state media outlet TASS: "The locals happened to be at Batagaika … and noticed that the mammoth calf had partially thawed from the wall, about [130 feet] below the surface."
As permafrost melts, more secrets from the past may emerge. In particular, specimens like Yana offer valuable insights into the environment when mammoths roamed the Earth.
Moreover, the study of these remains helps unravel prehistoric mysteries, with researchers eagerly hoping for more discoveries to piece together Earth's majestic history.
