In brief
The baby mammoth, named Yana, is a remarkable find in the melting permafrost of Yakutia, capturing the interest of scientists and archaeology enthusiasts alike.
Russian scientists have made an incredible discovery in Siberia - the remains of a baby mammoth named Yana, dating back a whopping 50,000 years! Found in thawing permafrost in the Yakutia region, Yana is celebrated as the best-preserved mammoth carcass ever found. Weighing over 100 kg (15st 10lb) and measuring 120cm (4ft) tall, she was just one year old when she sadly passed away.Discovered in the Batagaika crater, which holds the title of the world's largest permafrost crater, local residents were the first to spot Yana as she nearly thawed out completely. Using a makeshift stretcher, they helped extract her remains from the ground. Although some parts, like her forelimbs, were lost to modern predators, Yana's head is still remarkably intact.Researchers speculate that Yana may have perished in a swamp, allowing her to be preserved for millennia. Now stationed at the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk, scientists are diligently studying her remains and conducting tests to discover more about her life.Yana isn't alone in the spotlight - other ancient discoveries in Russia's permafrost, such as a 32,000-year-old mummified sabre-tooth cat and a 44,000-year-old wolf, highlight the ongoing intrigues of climate change and archaeology. Exciting times lie ahead for scientists as the ice continues to melt!
