Deep within the frozen plains of southwestern Russia, a remarkable discovery has been revealed—a 40-foot circle of mammoth bones and tusks, standing resilient for over 24,000 years. This ancient structure, built by Ice Age hunters, challenges our understanding of early human habitation and ritual practices.
Recently, a groundbreaking DNA study of 39 bone samples from 30 mammoths at the Kostenki 11 site has provided new insights into the lives of these ancient humans and their relationship with mammoths. The findings suggest that humans were both hunters and scavengers, using mammoth remains from carcasses that had succumbed to the harsh conditions millennia before.
A Mammoth Legacy
The Kostenki 11 site, situated near the Don River just 300 kilometers from Moscow, is a significant Upper Paleolithic landmark in Europe. This location and similar sites across Ukraine and western Russia have yielded over 70 circular mammoth bone structures, sparking endless speculation about their origins and purposes.
By employing radiocarbon dating, ancient DNA analysis, and stable isotope studies, researchers have reconstructed the timeline and context of the mammoth use at Kostenki 11. Their investigation revealed that the bones came from mammoths that lived over several centuries. Some were scavenged from remains that were over a thousand years old, demonstrating the ingenuity of early humans in repurposing natural resources.
Dr. Alexander Pryor from the University of Exeter led a team that excavated the site for three years. They used a technique called flotation, involving water and sieves to separate ancient artifacts from the soil. Their findings indicated that 51 lower jaws and 64 individual mammoth skulls were used to construct the walls of these circular structures.
Living inside such dwellings made of mammoth bones and skulls must have been an surreal experience, a stark contrast to the modern world we know today.
Artifacts like charcoal and burnt bones, stone tool fragments, and soft plant tissue were also discovered at the site. These finds hint at the diet and daily activities of the inhabitants. Charcoal present suggests that they might have started fires within the structures to provide warmth during Ice Age nights, where average temperatures were around -20 degrees Celsius or even lower.
A Bias for Mammoth Females
The study revealed another intriguing aspect of the mammoths at Kostenki 11. DNA analysis of 30 individuals showed that the majority were female, unlike other mammoth sites where male remains dominate. This suggests that the mammoths used may have been from herds led by female matriarchs.
Scientists also identified seven distinct mitochondrial lineages, indicating that the mammoths were sourced from different family groups. This detail supports the notion that the bones were collected over time, rather than in a single hunting event.
Stable isotope analysis further revealed that there were no significant dietary differences between male and female mammoths. In modern elephants, males and females typically have distinct foraging patterns, with males traveling wider areas and having a more varied diet. The absence of these differences in mammoths points to a fundamentally different social behavior and ecosystem compared to today.
A Window into the Ice Age
The vast time span over which bones were collected indicates that these circular structures were not built in a single event but were repeatedly used over centuries. This suggests the area remained a crucial habitat, even though it may not have been inhabited year-round.
Traditionally, hunter-gatherer groups were believed to be in constant motion, searching for new resources. However, the evidence from Kostenki 11 challenges this view, highlighting the importance of landmarks and ceremonial gathering places in ancient human life. Astronomical events like equinoxes and solstices might have fueled these gatherings, providing a sense of community and continuity in a challenging environment.
As we continue to uncover secrets from Russia’s frozen plains, the mammoth bone circles at Kostenki 11 serve as a powerful testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of our ancestors. In a world of ice and snow, they found ways not just to survive, but to create lasting symbols of their presence.
The new insights have been published in the journal Quaternary Environments and Humans, offering a deeper understanding of life during the Ice Age.
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