Exceptionally Preserved 50,000-Year-Old Baby Mammoth Found in Siberia's 'Mouth of Hell'

Dec 24, 2024, 01:15 AM

Scientists in Russia's Yakutia region have unveiled the remarkably well-preserved remains of a baby mammoth, estimated to be over 50,000 years old. Discovered in the Batagaika crater, also known as the 'Mouth of Hell,' during the summer of 2024, the juvenile female mammoth has been nicknamed 'Yana' after the nearby river basin. Yana was approximately one year old at the time of her death, weighing around 180 kg and measuring 120 cm in height. This discovery marks the sixth time such well-preserved mammoth remains have been unearthed globally, with five of these finds occurring in Russia. Researchers note that features such as the trunk, ears, and mouth area are almost intact, making Yana arguably the best-preserved mammoth carcass ever found. The exceptional state of preservation offers significant opportunities for studying the species and understanding the prehistoric environment in which the mammoths lived.