'This is 100 per cent a mammoth': bones revealed by the Danube in Bulgaria

A set of mammoth bones uncovered in Bulgaria's Danube Riverbed has been confirmed as belonging to a woolly mammoth, according to a local museum director. The discovery was made in the village of Ryahovo, located in the Slivo Pole municipality, approximately 30 kilometers north of Rousse, after prolonged droughts caused the river level to drop significantly. Professor Nikolay Nenov, director of the Regional History Museum in Rousse, told AFP that the findings are definitively those of a mammoth. He described them as likely belonging to a woolly mammoth that lived during the Ice Age period. The bones appear to belong to a young individual, he added. The remains were discovered accidentally by a local resident on Wednesday before being collected by museum specialists on Thursday. So far, experts have identified a jawbone, fragments of tusks, part of a shoulder blade, and a femur with its head intact. The dark coloring of the bones suggests they may have remained in a marshy environment for some time, though this interpretation remains speculative at this stage, according to Professor Nenov. Unlike many previous discoveries found in alluvial deposits, these bones were concentrated in one location, potentially indicating they belonged to a single individual. They are in relatively good condition, he noted. Woolly mammoths, an iconic species of the Ice Age and close relatives of modern elephants, became extinct around 4,000 years ago. Prolonged precipitation deficits and extreme heat affecting Europe since spring have led to historically low water levels in parts of the Danube. According to Professor Nenov, the drop in river levels could reveal more relics, prompting new explorations in the area. The discovery comes amid ongoing environmental changes impacting the region. The unusually dry conditions have exposed previously hidden layers of earth, offering scientists and historians opportunities to uncover ancient artifacts and fossils. Such findings can provide valuable insights into prehistoric life and climate patterns. The specific location of the find, Ryahovo, near Slivo Pole, has become a focal point for further archaeological investigations. Local authorities and researchers are collaborating to ensure proper documentation and preservation of the site. The area’s proximity to Rousse, a city known for its historical significance, adds to the potential importance of the discovery. Experts are analyzing the bones to determine their exact age and the circumstances under which the mammoth lived and died. This includes examining the composition of the bones and surrounding sediments for clues about the animal's diet, health, and the environment it inhabited. The analysis will help place the specimen within the broader context of Ice Age ecosystems. The discovery has sparked interest among both the scientific community and the public. Museums and research institutions are preparing for increased activity in the region as similar finds may emerge due to the continued exposure of the riverbed. Researchers are hopeful that future excavations might yield additional information about the extinction of mammoths and the climatic shifts that influenced their survival. Further studies are planned to explore the geological layers beneath the Danube, which could contain more evidence of prehistoric fauna and flora. These efforts aim to build a comprehensive understanding of how past climates shaped the landscape and affected wildlife populations. Scientists are particularly interested in comparing this find with other mammoth remains discovered in different regions of Europe.