Scientists from Russia’s North-Eastern Federal University have discovered a preserved bear carcass from the Ice Age, estimated to be at least 22,000 years old.
Normally, finding the bones of an ancient creature is something to get pretty excited about, but an intact carcass? That’s exceedingly rare. A warning: this is high-key disgusting, but also pretty fucking cool.
“It is completely preserved, with all internal organs in place including its nose. Previously only skulls and bones were found,” the University announced after melting the ice age bear from the Lyakhovsky Islands’ permafrost. Believe it or not, this might it even cooler than the human-sized penguin fossil that was found in New Zealand.
Of course, we wouldn’t have this unprecedented discovery and its impact without the efforts of two groups. Firstly, the reindeer herders who found the preserved bear carcass on Bolshoy Lyakhovsky Island. Secondly, the scientists at North-Eastern Federal University (NEFU) who worked tirelessly to unpacked the significance of this find.
The last humans to see a cave bear face lived ~25,000 years ago #IceAgeExtinction
— The Ice Age ❄️🌞 (@Jamie_Woodward_) September 12, 2020
An intact Ice Age bear carcass has never been found before, making this unearthing as memorable as it gets! Thanks to Russia’s chilly conditions, the permafrost was able to perfectly preserve the beast through the last 22,000 (approx.) years, despite the species going extinct 15,000 years ago. Truly incredible, but I’d rather check out the bones of a cave bear than their insides. Just a personal preference.
HUGELY EXCITING! A cave bear carcass has been recovered from the permafrost on an Arctic island – “the first and only find of its kind.” The preservation is remarkable; all internal organs are present. And that nose! Wonderful 📷 NEFU https://t.co/U6nayPIsIp pic.twitter.com/gzggoCyHmA
— The Ice Age ❄️🌞 (@Jamie_Woodward_) September 12, 2020
On the one hand this is awesome, on the other it’s a worrying example of climate change.
— From The Book Nook (@from_nook) September 12, 2020
Up Next: Watch this bear trying to carjack a Mercedes while the owners scream from afar
