Ice Age Baby Mammoth Found in Siberia's Underworld

A remarkably preserved baby woolly mammoth, nicknamed Yana, has been unearthed in Siberia's Batagaika crater, a rapidly expanding thermokarst depression known locally as the "Mouth of Hell" or "Gateway to the Underworld." This incredible find offers a unique glimpse into life during the Ice Age.

Yana, estimated to be over 50,000 years old, is considered the best-preserved baby woolly mammoth ever discovered. Found in the Yakutia region of Russia, the mammoth calf was approximately one year old at the time of her death, likely due to a back injury.

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The Batagaika megaslump, where Yana was found, is a massive, tadpole-shaped hole visible from space. Measuring 330 feet deep, roughly 3,300 feet long, and 2,650 feet wide, this expanding crater is a treasure trove of prehistoric remains preserved in the permafrost.

Of the seven baby woolly mammoths discovered worldwide (six in Russia), Yana stands out for her exceptional preservation. Her trunk, lips, ears, and eye sockets remain intact, escaping predation. Although some damage to her limbs suggests scavenging by small mammals or birds, her internal organs are remarkably preserved.

Maxim Cheprasov, head of the Mammoth Museum laboratory at North Eastern Federal University, emphasized the unique preservation of Yana's head and organs. This remarkable find allows scientists to study the anatomy and life of these extinct giants in unprecedented detail.

The discovery, made in June 2024 but only recently announced, reveals a mammoth calf standing 4 feet tall at the withers and weighing approximately 180 kg (almost 400 lbs). The rear portion of Yana's remains, also preserved, was retrieved separately.

The Batagaika crater is not only a source of ancient remains but also a significant contributor to carbon emissions. Estimates suggest it releases up to 5,000 tons of organic carbon annually, a figure that may increase as permafrost continues to thaw.

Yana's discovery joins a series of remarkable finds in the Siberian permafrost. Other recent discoveries include a perfectly preserved 42,170-year-old prehistoric foal, a 32,000-year-old saber-toothed cat cub, and a 44,000-year-old wolf carcass.

Major scientific investigations into Yana's remains are planned for next year, promising to shed further light on the life and extinction of woolly mammoths. This extraordinary find offers invaluable insights into Earth's distant past and the effects of climate change on permafrost.