In a groundbreaking find, scientists have unearthed a 50,000-year-old baby mammoth in Siberia's Yakutia region. The fossil, named Yana, is considered the best-preserved mammoth carcass discovered to date. Measuring 1.2 meters in height and weighing around 180 kilograms, Yana was found in the Batagaika crater, a place well-known for preserving prehistoric remains. The thawing permafrost in the area has revealed this remarkable specimen, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the life of these ancient creatures.
Researchers are hopeful that Yana will provide valuable insights into mammoth development and behavior. Notably, the intact preservation of the head and trunk has astounded experts, adding to its significance. The discovery site,
Yakutsk's Federal University of the North East, has hosted other prehistoric finds like ancient horses and bisons, suggesting a rich paleontological landscape.
Woolly mammoths, which roamed the Earth until about 10,000 years ago, were crucial to human survival during the Ice Age, as depicted in cave paintings and sculptures. The discovery of Yana is a vital contribution to understanding these giants, their environment, and their eventual extinction.
