The remains of a 40,000-year-old mammoth were discovered during renovations in an Austrian wine cellar.
This was reported by the Ancient Origins publication.
According to journalists, the unexpected discovery was made during renovations. 300 mammoth bones were found in an Austrian wine cellar. The age of the remains of the ancient animal is estimated at 30-40 thousand years.
Andreas Pernerstorfer, who discovered the mammoth remains, immediately reported the discovery to the Federal Monuments Office.
"I thought it was just a piece of wood left by my grandfather. But then I dug it out a bit and remembered that in the past my grandfather said he had found teeth. Then I immediately thought it was a mammoth," the man recalls of the discovery.
Scientists consider this discovery to be unique and rare, as the last time similar remains were found in this area was 100-150 years ago. Moreover, such a discovery will allow us to analyze the interaction of ancient people with the animals of that time. The discovered bones can give scientists a clue to how hunting was carried out in those days and what weapons people could use. It is possible that the inhabitants of that time deliberately trapped mammoths, which is why animal remains are sometimes found in the area.
"Coexisting with Stone Age humans, mammoths served as a vital resource, with their bones and tusks utilized for crafting tools, art, and various artifacts, alongside being a source of sustenance. Ancient humans may have possessed the capacity to store substantial amounts of meat and fat resources, hinting at scenarios where they could have gathered in larger groups than previously assumed," the publication says.
After a series of examinations, the discovered remains of the mammoth are to be transferred to the Natural History Museum Vienna for further restoration.
Earlier, Apostrophe reported that scientists discovered a giant ice hole in Antarctica.