Tabayuryakhsky mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius Blum., 1799) from the island of Kotelny, Novosibirskiy Archipelago

Abstract

The article presents the results of two paleontological experiments on Kotelny island, Novosibirsk Archipelago, conducted in 2019. During the survey work in the area between Kozhevena-Volosovich rivers, the skeletal remains of a woolly mammoth were found, approximately 30–40 % of the complete skeleton. The object lies in a small area that includes four baidjerakhs. Fragments of the skull, fragments of tusks, scapula, cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, a fragment of the sacrum, frgaments of ribs, fragments of the pelvis and bones of limbs were found at the location. At the moment, this is the most complete skeleton found on the Kotelny island. After the first comprehensive analysis of the bone material, traces of ancient human activity were identified. Traces of ancient tools were found on the skull, vertebrae, and ribs. But the most interesting thing is the tip of the «dart» remaining on the spine of the animal’s shoulder blade. Also, near the skeletal remains, tools of ancient man were found and identified, presumably a knife sharpener with traces of intense use, and something like a «spatula». The results of radiocarbon analysis correspond to the kargian epoch of the late neo-Pleistocene. The climatic conditions of that time were somewhat better than modern ones, although they differed by more arid and hot summers. This finding expands the territory of ancient human activity in the late neo-Pleistocene.