Russia + fossils? Not a combination often thought of by many in fact Russia+Fossil Fuels is a more likely partnership. But, believe it or not the former Soviet Union holds a remarkable treasure trove of its prehistoric past. From the high arctic of Siberia to the flowing Volga Russia truly deserves a place on the fossil map.
So, were to begin? The freezing permafrost of Siberia seems a good place to start. Most people who have an interest in the Ice Age and prehistory in general will have heard of the bounty of fossils the Siberian Tundra produces. Mammoth fossils in particular seem to attract most of the attention. Not surprising considering just how beautifully preserved the Mammoth fossils from Siberia are. But the truth is that really, they aren't fossils at all. The Mammoths lived here so recently (new theories suggest that they died out here 8,000-6,000 years ago)that their bones simply haven't fossilized yet. This process is aided by permafrost. Permafrost basically acts as a Pleistocene morgue, keeping the remains of Ice Age animals preserved in the frozen ground only a few inches down. This keeps the bones (and occasionally soft tissue) preserved for prosperity in mint condition. An example of just how crazy this preservation can be is Lyuba a mummified baby mammoth which now resides in the vaults of the Field Museum.
Lyuba died over 10,000 years ago but every detail of her from her last meal to her hair is exquisitely preserved. It was purportedly in the possession of a Siberian indigenous tribe for many years before scientists finally found it. The tribal members couldn't thank the scientists enough for taking Lyuba. Stating that the dead mammoths possess 'evil spirits'.
But its not only Mammoths found in Siberia. The remains of Horses, Reindeer, and Bison also frequently turn up. The Palaeontology of Siberia has been thrown into the limelight recently with the announcement of 'Pleistocene Park' a project spear headed by numerous Russian Palaeontologists and funded by the Japanese scientists attempting to clone the mammoth back from the dead. All questions of ethics aside the park is actually home to many animals. Mainly Caribou, Horses, and Bison but also including Wolves, Bears, Lynx, and the owner soon hopes Lions and Mammoths.
Skipping across the Urals we soon reach the banks of the river Volga. The Volga is steeped in history most notably for the ferrying of Soviet troops to defend Stalingrad. But what of the prehistory of the Volga. Surprisingly many species of Ammonite can be found in the rocks here. The Ammonites date from the Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous periods. The most common Ammonites can be found below (in order of appearance: Kosmoceras, Pavlovia, Australiceras, Peltoceras, and Audlioceras)
As you can see the quality of these Volga ammonites is amazing especially the Peltoceras. No wonder many can fetch for up to 500 rubles on the Russian fossil market. These ammonites are found mostly in the oil sands on the banks of the Volga.
Finally we take a short (in Russian standards) trip north to the rocks around St Petersburg. These rocks just like the Volga Ammonites yield some truly beautiful fossils. Trilobites. The Trilobites here are top quality and date from the Silurian/Ordovician periods.
There are literally so many species that it would take eons (ok, maybe not that long) to list them. But I encourage you to look for yourself here:
So, that's the rather surprising and amazing Palaeontology of the Russian federation. If anyone wants to do any further research or for more information on the Trilobites and Ammonites please visit: Paleoart.com
So, were to begin? The freezing permafrost of Siberia seems a good place to start. Most people who have an interest in the Ice Age and prehistory in general will have heard of the bounty of fossils the Siberian Tundra produces. Mammoth fossils in particular seem to attract most of the attention. Not surprising considering just how beautifully preserved the Mammoth fossils from Siberia are. But the truth is that really, they aren't fossils at all. The Mammoths lived here so recently (new theories suggest that they died out here 8,000-6,000 years ago)that their bones simply haven't fossilized yet. This process is aided by permafrost. Permafrost basically acts as a Pleistocene morgue, keeping the remains of Ice Age animals preserved in the frozen ground only a few inches down. This keeps the bones (and occasionally soft tissue) preserved for prosperity in mint condition. An example of just how crazy this preservation can be is Lyuba a mummified baby mammoth which now resides in the vaults of the Field Museum.
Lyuba died over 10,000 years ago but every detail of her from her last meal to her hair is exquisitely preserved. It was purportedly in the possession of a Siberian indigenous tribe for many years before scientists finally found it. The tribal members couldn't thank the scientists enough for taking Lyuba. Stating that the dead mammoths possess 'evil spirits'.
But its not only Mammoths found in Siberia. The remains of Horses, Reindeer, and Bison also frequently turn up. The Palaeontology of Siberia has been thrown into the limelight recently with the announcement of 'Pleistocene Park' a project spear headed by numerous Russian Palaeontologists and funded by the Japanese scientists attempting to clone the mammoth back from the dead. All questions of ethics aside the park is actually home to many animals. Mainly Caribou, Horses, and Bison but also including Wolves, Bears, Lynx, and the owner soon hopes Lions and Mammoths.
Skipping across the Urals we soon reach the banks of the river Volga. The Volga is steeped in history most notably for the ferrying of Soviet troops to defend Stalingrad. But what of the prehistory of the Volga. Surprisingly many species of Ammonite can be found in the rocks here. The Ammonites date from the Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous periods. The most common Ammonites can be found below (in order of appearance: Kosmoceras, Pavlovia, Australiceras, Peltoceras, and Audlioceras)
As you can see the quality of these Volga ammonites is amazing especially the Peltoceras. No wonder many can fetch for up to 500 rubles on the Russian fossil market. These ammonites are found mostly in the oil sands on the banks of the Volga.
Finally we take a short (in Russian standards) trip north to the rocks around St Petersburg. These rocks just like the Volga Ammonites yield some truly beautiful fossils. Trilobites. The Trilobites here are top quality and date from the Silurian/Ordovician periods.
There are literally so many species that it would take eons (ok, maybe not that long) to list them. But I encourage you to look for yourself here:
So, that's the rather surprising and amazing Palaeontology of the Russian federation. If anyone wants to do any further research or for more information on the Trilobites and Ammonites please visit: Paleoart.com
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