Sparta was only 1-2 months old when she died 28,000 years ago, yet her fur, skin, organs, and teeth remained almost exactly as on the day she died. Called the best preserved ice age animal ever. A second cub found nearby was over 43,000 years old.
28,000-year-old cave lion cub named Sparta found in Siberian permafrost
Site mentioned
📍 Saka Republic
Key facts
- The cub named Sparta was discovered in 2017 in the Saka Republic, Siberia
- She was estimated to be only 1-2 months old when she died, frozen for tens of thousands of years
- Her fur, skin, organs, and teeth remained almost exactly as on the day she died
- Researchers described her as the best preserved ice age animal ever discovered
- A second cub named Baris was found only 15 meters away
- Radio carbon analysis dated Sparta at approximately 28,000 years old and Baris at over 43,000 years old
- Cave lions were among the largest lion species, reaching up to 5 ft height and 11 ft length
- Scientists believe a sudden mudslide may have trapped and instantly frozen the cubs
Sources
My encounter with 28,000-year-old Sparta the Siberian lionthetimes.com
Sparta, a cave lion, was one or two months old when she died, and she still has her milk teeth, fur, skeleton and internal organs. Even her whiskers are intact.
Sparta is a 28,000 year-old cave lion cub - Owl Connectedowlconnected.com
Named Sparta, she is covered in golden fur and even still has the whiskers around her nose. Her internal organs have also been perserved ...
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