Archaeologists in Awe as Reindeer Herders Discover Near-Complete Woolly Mammoth Skeleton with Preserved Ligaments After Thousands of Years
In the vast expanse of the Yamal peninsula, scientists have unearthed a remarkable find - the bones of a teenage woolly mammoth, with soft tissues still intact. The discovery, made by local reindeer shepherds near the Pechevalavato Lake, is a testament to the well-preserved specimens that the Siberian permafrost has yielded from prehistoric times.
Judging by the size of the fossils, this mammoth was likely young. The remains include a skull, several ribs, the lower jaw, a foot fragment with sinews still intact, and parts of its pelt. Dmitry Frolov, director of the Arctic Research Center, stated that the whole skeleton is there, a rare find in the world of paleontology.
The discovery has sparked discussions about the possibility of cloning extinct species, a controversial process known as 'de-extinction'. The analysis of the mammoth's DNA, as was the case with a 28,000-year-old woolly mammoth discovered in Siberia in 2011, shows that it was still alive and active. However, further studies on cloning extinct species continue, and as of now, we can only uncover these prehistoric creatures little by little.
The mammoth's demise, like many of its kind, remains a mystery. Some believe it may have been trapped in mud and possibly hunted by early humans, much like the mammoths found in Xaltocan, Mexico, where the remains of 60 individual mammoths were discovered in May 2020, near an ancient lake called Xaltocan.
The endeavour to uncover the rest of the mammoth's remains is expected to take a significant amount of time. Researchers are optimistic about finding bits of the mammoth's brain in its skull, which could provide valuable insights into the species' behaviour and cognitive abilities.
The thawing of permafrost due to heat waves in northern Siberia has led to the discovery of more prehistoric specimens, offering a glimpse into the past and shedding light on our ancestors' interactions with these magnificent creatures. The mammoth roamed the planet during the Pleistocene era, which lasted from 2,580,000 to 11,700 years ago.
Populations of woolly mammoths are believed to have disappeared around 15,000 years ago in Russia and 4,300 years ago on St. Paul Island. The discovery of this well-preserved skeleton in Siberia serves as a poignant reminder of a time when these colossal creatures walked the earth.
