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

A discovery made during the low water levels of the Danube River in Bulgaria has revealed what scientists confirm is a complete set of bones belonging to a mammoth. The find was made by a local resident in the village of Ryahovo, located in the commune of Slivo Pole, approximately 30 kilometers north of Rousse. Experts from the Regional Museum of History in Rousse collected the remains on Thursday, following their initial identification by the villager. The bones, which include a jawbone, fragments of tusks, part of a scapula, and a femur with its head joint intact, have been confirmed by Professor Nikolay Nenov, director of the museum, to belong entirely to a mammoth. He stated that the specimen is likely a woolly mammoth, which lived during the last Ice Age. According to Nenov, the remains appear to belong to a young individual, and they were found in relatively good condition. The discovery came about through chance, as the river’s reduced flow exposed previously submerged areas along its banks. This phenomenon, linked to prolonged drought conditions and extreme heat affecting much of Europe since spring, led to historically low water levels in parts of the Danube. These conditions allowed for the exposure of ancient deposits that had remained hidden beneath the riverbed. Nenov noted that unlike many previous finds originating from alluvial deposits, these bones were concentrated in one area, suggesting they could belong to a single animal. The dark coloring of the bones may indicate prolonged exposure to a marshy environment, though this interpretation remains speculative at this stage. The scientific team continues to analyze the findings to determine further details about the creature's age, health, and possible cause of death. Woolly mammoths, close relatives of modern elephants, became extinct around 4,000 years ago. Their presence in the region underscores the historical significance of the area as a habitat for large mammals during the Ice Age. The current discovery adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the existence of such creatures in the Balkan Peninsula. Professor Nenov expressed optimism that the continued drop in the Danube’s water level might reveal additional fossilized remains. A new survey of the site is already planned to explore whether more traces of the past remain buried beneath the riverbed. This ongoing research highlights how environmental changes can lead to unexpected archaeological discoveries, offering insights into prehistoric life and ecosystems.