Mammoths existed in England until 14,000 years ago

A study in the Geological Journal published June 17 recently demonstrated the bones found in Shropshire, the UK providing the latest geological evidence of the existence of long-haired mammoths ( woolly mammoth) in northwestern Europe. Analysis of the bones found as well as the habitat around the area showed that mammoths still existed in the UK long after the time when people thought it was the end of the world.

The mammoth bones, including the nearly complete skeleton of an adult male and at least four cubs, were first excavated in 1986, but carbon dating was conducted then. is considered inaccurate. Technological advances over the past two decades now give us much more accurate results, thus providing the necessary data to determine the habitat characteristics of these elephants. The data obtained from the analysis of cavities, fossil insects found in the excavation area, and geographic analysis of surrounding sediments.

Painting an imaginary long-haired mammoth family. (Photo: iStockphoto / KIM FREITAS)

The study was conducted by Professor Adrian Lister of London's Museum of Natural History, who has done a lot of research on species that existed for thousands of years after a time when people still think of extinction. of them.

'Mammoths are still thought to be extinct in northwestern Europe 21,000 years ago during the' Last Glacial Maximum 'period when temperatures dropped and ice invaded many parts of the Earth,' Lister said. Condover's carbon dating method proved the opposite, that mammoths once returned and continued to live in British soil today until 14,000 years ago.

The bones discovered at Shropshire are the latest mammoth data in northwestern Europe. They not only prove that this species survives much longer than one might think, but also provides clear evidence to end the debate around the question of whether the mammoth's doom is due to climate change or due to being hunted by humans.

'The time of the demise of mammoths according to the conclusions of the new study coincides with the time of climate change, when the Ice Age grasslands were replaced by forests. This replacement is also likely to be the cause of the disappearance of mammoths, ' Lister said. 'People also existed at the time of Condover mammoths, however, there is no evidence of hunting mammoths.'

Lister's findings are presented in one of three articles about Condover's mammoth appearing in the Geological Journal. The remaining two articles focus on the ancient habitat of mammoths (edited by Allen) and a geographic analysis of the area where mammoth bones were found (Scourse editor).

Refer:

1. Lister A. Late-glacial mammoth skeletons (Mammuthus primigenius) from Condover (Shropshire, UK): anatomy, pathology, taphonomy and chronological significance.Geological Journal, DOI: 10.1002 / gj.1162

2. Allen.JRM, Scourse.JD, Hall, AR, Coope GR Palaeoenviromental context of the Late-glacial woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) discoveries at Condover, Shropshire, UK (pn / a).Geological Journal, 2009 DOI: 10.1002 / gj1161

3. Scourse, Coope et al.Late-glacial remains of woolly mammoths Mammuthus primigenius) from Shropshire UK: stratigraphy, sedimentology and geochronology of the Condover site (pn / a).Geological Journal, 2009 DOI: 10.1002 / gj.1163