Ice Age relic: Woolly rhino found perfectly preserved in Siberia
"Beast from the Ice Age," as reported by the IFL Science portal, has been preserved in remarkably good condition. The discovery in Siberia surprised scientists since they did not expect to find well-preserved soft tissues in the remains of a woolly rhinoceros.
9:04 AM EDT, August 9, 2024
Scientists from the Northeast Federal University (NEFU) made a groundbreaking discovery in the Oymyakon region of Siberia. They found the remains of the extinct woolly rhinoceros. The rhinoceros, "frozen like a piece of meat for thousands of years," was well preserved. The discoverers especially noted the intact soft tissues, which—as they themselves point out—open the door to "intriguing scientific possibilities."
They need to conduct more thorough research
Maxim Cheprasov, a researcher involved in the excavation, explains that the morphological parameters indicate the found rhinoceros was an adult. However, scientists will have to wait to estimate the exact biological age and sex. They plan to conduct more thorough research once they access the entire body. Excavation will resume in the fall, and for now, the remains have been preserved to protect them from negative environmental factors.
Cheprasov also mentions that scientists aim to study the diet of the rhinoceros found in Siberia. They also plan to determine genetic links with previously identified specimens of this type. Despite the lack of many details, preliminary analyses have roughly estimated its age.
"This is undoubtedly a relic from the last Ice Age," the researchers note. The woolly rhinoceros inhabited northern Eurasia during the Pleistocene period until about 11,700 years ago, when rising temperatures began to "thaw" the Earth. Climate changes caused the extinction of the woolly rhinoceroses, though some scholars believe hunting also played a role.
Unique discovery in Siberia
Scientists do not doubt that the discovery in Siberia is exceptional. This unique discovery will allow us to delve deeper into the region's history, its fauna, climate, and geological conditions, said Anatoly Nikolaev from NEFU. Other species have also been found in Siberia, including mammoths, lions, and birds. Three years ago, scientists reported the discovery of a frozen wolf under 131 feet of permafrost in Russia.
The mentioned wolf was an excellent research subject, enabling scientists to understand many details about the animal's life in the past. Researchers are still hoping to find frozen remains of Neanderthals, who inhabited parts of Eurasia and may still be deep under the ice since the Pleistocene epoch.
