A well-preserved baby mammoth, nicknamed “Yana,” dating back over 130,000 years, was recently dissected by Russian scientists, revealing insights into Ice Age life.
A baby mammoth, affectionately named “Yana,” was dissected by Russian scientists at North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk on March 27. This remarkable specimen, a female, dates back more than 130,000 years and has been preserved in permafrost until its discovery in the cold Russian province of Yakutia last year.
Stunning images from the necropsy reveal a team of scientists gathered around the 397-pound mammoth, which bears a striking resemblance to a modern baby elephant. The creature’s mouth was open, and her trunk was curled as researchers carefully examined her skin.
Initially, scientists estimated that Yana lived around 50,000 years ago. However, further analysis of the permafrost layer where she was found led to an updated estimate, pushing her age back to over 130,000 years.
Maxim Cherpasov, head of the Lazarev Mammoth Museum Laboratory, shared insights with Reuters last year, noting that Yana was just over a year old at the time of her death. Unfortunately, her remains had already been partially consumed by predators when she was discovered. Cherpasov explained, “As a rule, the part that thaws out first, especially the trunk, is often eaten by modern predators or birds.” He added that while the forelimbs had been eaten, the head remained remarkably well-preserved.
The discovery of a well-preserved mammoth is exceedingly rare, yet it is not entirely unprecedented. In June 2024, a fisherman stumbled upon a mammoth bone along the banks of the Raba River in Książnice, near Gdów, Poland. Additionally, in August of the same year, a fossil collector discovered a portion of a Columbian mammoth tusk in an embankment in Madison County, Mississippi.
Such findings contribute to our understanding of these ancient creatures and their environments, offering a glimpse into life during the Ice Age. The ongoing research surrounding Yana and other mammoth remains continues to shed light on the past, providing valuable insights into the ecosystems that existed thousands of years ago.
According to Reuters, the examination of Yana’s remains is part of a broader effort to study the biology and ecology of mammoths, enhancing our knowledge of these fascinating animals.