Mammoth skeleton found near Paris

08 November, 2012

The near-complete skeleton of a mammoth that lived between 200,000 and 500,000 years ago has been found near Paris - adding to the curiosity of history lovers.

NOW PARIS is not only the favorite destination for tourists, lovers and artists but also for those who love to see historical pieces. A rare complete skeleton of a shaggy pre-historic elephant is marked by the archaeologists near the Changis-sur-Marne riverbank near Paris.

Gregory Bayle, Head of archaeological department said, “This was an adult woolly mammoth, the last of the mammoth. We don't know why the skeleton has scattered around. Based on the sediment we found here, the first hypothesis is that this was a muddy area, and this animal has stuck in mud somewhere and may have drowned in the river and the river carried the hay.”

Researchers at the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research told AFP that the remains are 200,000-500,000 years old. The remains include a complete pelvis, a femur, four connected vertebrae and jawbones. Two flint axis were also found near the skull, which would have been used to cut the animal while it was trapped or dead; this suggests that the mammoth belongs to Neanderthals. They also said that the mammoth was in its 20's at the time of death.

It's a dream discovery for the archaeologists. The woolly mammoth is from the 'Mammuthus Primigenius' species. It disappeared in Pleistocene. Wooly mammoths are the best understood prehistoric vertebrates in terms of anotomy. They are said to be larger than the African elephants of the present day.

Bruno Foucray, Curator said, “It is an exceptionally rare discovery, since the last one was found in complete form about 100 or 150 years ago in Leon. Since it's a muddy area, finding the complete animal in France is really rare.