Yakutia — Russian experts revealed the exceptionally well-preserved remains of a newborn mammoth, discovered in the permafrost-covered region of Yakutia. The 50,000-year-old female mammoth, named “Yana” after the river basin where it was found, was displayed to the public.
Discovered this summer, Yana is one of only seven complete mammoth remains ever found, and experts claim that it is the best-preserved mammoth corpse in the world. The mammoth, which was estimated to be around one year old at the time of its death, offers an invaluable glimpse into the past. Researchers will conduct further studies to determine her exact age.
According to a statement from the Federal University of the North East in Yakutsk, the capital of the region, the discovery was showcased there. Rector Anatoly Nikolayev expressed astonishment at the mammoth’s remarkable preservation, calling it “a unique discovery.”
The remains of Yana are 120 centimeters (approximately four feet) tall, 200 centimeters long, and weigh 180 kilograms (397 pounds). Alongside the mammoth, the remains of a horse, bison, and lemming were also found at the Batagaika research site where the mammoth was discovered.
Before Yana, only six complete mammoth remains had been found worldwide — five in Russia and one in Canada. The extreme cold of Yakutia’s permafrost, which acts as a natural freezer, is credited with preserving these ancient creatures for thousands of years.
Researchers are hopeful that further examination of Yana’s remains could provide important insights into the Ice Age and the creatures that once roamed the Earth.
