Young boy discovers incredible 30,000-year-old mammoth carcass, unveiling a piece of history.
An 11-year-old boy in Russia recently made an extraordinary discovery while exploring his local neighborhood. He stumbled upon an almost fully intact woolly mammoth, complete with flesh, bones, fur, and layers of fat, providing a remarkable glimpse into the prehistoric era that had not been seen for over a century.
The remains, which include a tusk, are believed to be the right half of the body and weigh approximately 500kg. The male mammoth is estimated to have died around 30,000 years ago at the age of 15 and has remained frozen in permafrost ever since.
The young boy responsible for this astonishing find is named Yevgeny Salinder. He found the frozen beast in Taymyr, northern Russia, where he lives with his family, close to the Sopkarga polar station.
While woolly mammoth remains have been discovered in the Siberian permafrost since at least 1929, this particular specimen is considered one of the best-preserved, according to researchers. Its tusks, mouth, and rib cage are clearly visible, offering valuable insights into the ancient creature’s anatomy.
After sharing his incredible discovery with his parents, scientists were able to confirm its significance. It is believed to be the second-best-preserved mammoth ever unearthed and the most significant mammoth discovery since 1901.
The mammoth has been named “Zhenya,” after the boy’s nickname, and will undergo extensive study by scientists. Alexei Tikhonov, a mammoth specialist with the Russian Academy of Sciences, stated that the last time such a well-preserved mammoth was found in Russia was in 1901, albeit in the Krasnoyarsk region much farther south.
Following scientific examination, the carcass will be exhibited at the Taymir Regional Studies Museum, allowing people to marvel at this remarkable find. It is an exciting opportunity for zoological and paleontological institutes in Moscow and St. Petersburg to study the specimen and deepen our understanding of the ancient world.
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