Russian Scientists Unveil 50,000-Year-Old Frozen Juvenile Woolly Mammoth Remains | WPN World People News

A team of Russian researchers recently showcased the remains of a juvenile woolly mammoth excavated in Yakutia, Siberia. Preserved in the region's permafrost for approximately 50,000 years, the fossil was unearthed this summer near the Yana River and was named "Yana" after its discovery site.

Archaeologists believe "Yana" is among the best-preserved juvenile mammoth remains ever found. Weighing approximately 180 kilograms (397 pounds), standing about 120 centimeters (4 feet) tall, and measuring 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length, it is estimated to have been around one year old or slightly older at the time of death. This marks the seventh complete woolly mammoth carcass discovered globally, with six found in Russia and one in Canada.

Yakutia, located near the Arctic Ocean, features permafrost that acts as a natural freezer, allowing prehistoric animal remains to be exceptionally well-preserved. The discovery site is near the Batagaika research station, an area previously yielding fossils of other ancient species, including horses and bison.

The research team is affiliated with North-Eastern Federal University (NEFU) in Yakutsk. According to the university, this discovery holds significant academic value. Researchers plan to conduct further analysis of "Yana," including determining its time of death and related data, to gain insights into the ecological adaptations and evolutionary processes of prehistoric life.