Introduction

What if every superstition and myth about ancient creatures found underground were closely related to real artifacts? Imagine how this could alter our perception of history and culture. Gazing at the mythical image of the woolly mammoth, we see not only a reflection of ancient beliefs but also a bridge between the past and present that continues to shape the identity of the peoples of Eurasia. The mammoth, as a significant element of nature, embodies not just a physical presence but also a profound spiritual meaning. Imagine a world where every element of nature has a layered significance, where ancient animals like the woolly mammoth become symbols of cultural and spiritual traditions. In this world, myths and reality intertwine, creating unique cultural narratives that have endured through the ages. In our globalized society, where different cultures encounter and interact, it is especially important to understand and appreciate the cultural heritage of others. This understanding allows us to see the world through others’ eyes, deepening our perception of human experience and nature. In this essay, we will explore the image of the woolly mammoth in the cultures of Eurasian peoples, from ancient myths to its role in the modern world. We will examine how mammoth findings have shaped the cultural and religious beliefs of these peoples, how they have been interpreted within their worldviews, and how modern scientific advances and globalization have transformed this ancient image, preserving its important place in the culture and economy of the region.

The Image of the Woolly Mammoth in the Culture of the Sakha People: From History to Modernity

The Sakha Republic is a unique natural region on the planet, where permafrost is widespread. Preserved by climatic conditions, this permafrost creates a distinctive natural pattern: warm-loving ferns grow in the south, while in the north, in conditions of Arctic desert and tundra, dwarf birches thrive. In the central part of Yakutia, specifically in Oymyakon, surrounded by mountain systems, one of the lowest temperatures on Earth has been recorded— -67.7°C (-89.9°F). Permafrost contributes to the preservation of remains of extinct Ice Age animals. Since 1751, remains of mammoth fauna have been discovered here: woolly mammoths, woolly rhinoceroses, primitive bison, Lena horses, cave lions, and others. These animals often thaw out on the shores of lakes and seas, where they are discovered by people. The most famous finds in recent years include the Yuka mammoth, the Khroma mammoth, and others (Plotnikov et al., 2015; Plotnikov, 2021; Mashchenko et al., 2013). In Sakha culture, the woolly mammoth has left a deep mark, rooted in the depths of history. In the Sakha language, the mammoth is called “Sælii,” which denotes a creature living underground, but in other mythical interpretations of Sakha mythology, it is referred to as the “Water Bull” or “Winter Bull.” In pre-scientific times, the image of the woolly mammoth in Sakha culture was different from how we know it today—a huge, hairy elephant with heterodontously curved tusks. In one myth, the mammoth’s tusks were attributed to the horns of the mythical “Water Bull.” The Water Bull is a mythical creature associated with bodies of water. According to legends, this creature lives in rivers, lakes, and swamps and possesses immense power. It is often described as a powerful bull with an unusual appearance, which can be dangerous to people, especially if provoked or disturbed. This myth might have arisen because people found mammoth tusks sticking out of or submerged in various bodies of water, thawed from the permafrost. In another myth, the mammoth was envisioned as a giant underground creature dwelling below the surface. According to Sakha beliefs, the mammoth moved underground, and when earthquakes occurred, it was believed that the mammoth had passed below the earth. Moreover, when people found mammoth remains mainly on the banks of rivers, lakes, and seas, they thought these creatures had perished from accidentally emerging from the earth into the open air and sunlight. Additionally, it was believed that those who found a dead mammoth would suffer various misfortunes, diseases, or even death. A third image of the mammoth in Sakha mythology is also related to a bull, but this time to the Winter Bull. Winter in Yakutia lasts for 9 months and is very harsh, dictating the living and survival conditions for the peoples who have historically lived there. In Yakut mythology, winter is depicted as a giant bull, or Winter Bull, which, as it gets colder, “…emerges from the Arctic Ocean and brings with it cold, hunger, and need…” (Vanhonnaeker, 2023, p. 38), gaining strength by covering everything around with snow and cold. As the weather warms, the bull gradually weakens, losing parts of its body that thaw and flow into rivers, eventually returning to the ocean, thus completing the annual cycle. For example, the first horn falls off in early February. When people found mammoth tusks, they attributed them to the horns of the Winter Bull. It should be noted that for the Sakha of that time, the largest and strongest animal was a bull, as they were not familiar with elephants or other large mammals. Therefore, the above-described mythologies are associated with the image of a bull. Upon discovering mammoth remains, the Sakha performed corresponding rituals of feeding the fire to appease local spirits, so that they would not bring misfortune and calamities. Feeding the fire among the Yakuts is a separate, multi-layered, and important ritual, playing a key role in their spiritual and everyday life, reflecting a deep connection with nature and ancestors. After the ritual of feeding the spirits through the fire, the finder of the mammoth could extract the tusks, pouring animal or bird blood into the place where the tusks were found, and if the find was large, they would bury the animal. Mammoth tusks were used to create various tools and hunting implements: arrowheads, traps, needles, knives, combs, fishing hooks, and even winter glasses to protect eyes from the bright light reflected off the snow. Additionally, tusks were used in the art of the Northern peoples to create various sculptures, amulets, decorations, and other items (Fedorova & Sleptsova, 2019). In modern Sakha representation, scientific development has introduced its own corrections, debunking ancient myths, although some superstitions are still believed. The image of the mammoth is now almost a brand of Yakutia, and it is used in various coats of arms and emblems throughout Yakutia and beyond. Yakutia is practically the sole supplier of mammoth tusks to the global market. Yakut mammoth tusks are valued worldwide as excellent material for creating art objects. Thus, the mammoth occupies a special place in Sakha culture, symbolizing both natural heritage and the mythical representation of the people about the world. These ancient animals have left a significant mark in Yakut legends, superstitions, and rituals, and their tusks have become an important part of daily life and art. The connection with mammoths highlights the unique cultural heritage of the Sakha people and their deep connection with the nature and history of their region.

The Mammoth in the Culture of the World’s Peoples

The mammoth has been known to humans since the Paleolithic era, as evidenced by numerous archaeological discoveries made across northern Eurasia and America. Paleolithic people, contemporaries of the mammoths, depicted their image on cave walls, carved their silhouettes from stone, tusks, horns, and wood, and these artifacts have helped modern scientists understand what mammoths were like during their lifetime. Today, mammoth skeletons are displayed in many museums around the world, and mammoths are actively featured in educational materials and scientific publications. Furthermore, the image of the hairy giant with its magnificent tusks is used in various logos and symbols of tourist companies and in events related to paleontology and beyond. The depiction of the mammoth can be found in art, jewelry, souvenirs, and other items reflecting interest in the prehistoric world and ancient creatures. Moreover, mammoths frequently appear in films, cartoons, and video games. However, this was not always the case. “In ancient times, people, upon discovering the remains of extinct animals and unable to explain their origins, believed that the enormous bones emerging from the earth belonged to ancient deities, monsters, or giants” (Marra & Maschenko, 2008, p. 20). Indeed, if mammoth bones are assembled not in the anatomical order of the mammoth but in a manner similar to human anatomy, a giant with enormous tusks and a single eye on its forehead (actually the nasal opening where the trunk was attached) is revealed. Such an image was seen by the ancient Greeks and described as a mythical creature named the Cyclops. According to their beliefs, it was a gigantic humanoid being with one eye on its forehead. One such creature is described in Homer’s epic “Odyssey” under the name Polyphemus. Later, this character was adopted by the ancient Romans into their mythology, retaining the external features described by the Greeks. In the mythology of the Eurasian peoples, the mammoth was represented as a kind of beast living underground, which, like a giant mole, created enormous tunnels beneath the earth. Moreover, many peoples believed that the collapse of these tunnels formed the beds of rivers and streams. Medieval Europeans, upon finding mammoth remains, associated them with their mythology; for example, they thought that mammoth tusks were the horns of the mythical unicorn. Additionally, in the context of theology, mammoth remains were presented to the faithful as the bones of fallen angels who had rebelled against God. A vivid example of this is the way mammoth bones and other remains of mammoth fauna were kept in churches and temples as holy relics (Tikhonov, 2005). The depiction of the mammoth, reflected in popular culture, has its roots in deep antiquity and mythology. These perceptions show how human understanding of extinct animals has evolved from mythical images to scientific understanding.

Correspondences and Differences in the Mythologies of Ancient Cultures: Myths, Legends, and the Relation to Man

The woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius, Blumenbach, 1799) was widespread in the late Pleistocene (126,000 – 11,000 years ago) and lived in huge herds across Eurasia and North America. Remains of mammoths are found almost throughout this region, with differences observed only in their preservation. The lives of many tribes of primitive people inhabiting these areas were closely linked to woolly mammoths, which is reflected in their culture, daily life, survival methods, and ritual hunting. It is well known that ancient people hunted mammoths, and such hunting posed significant risks. The mammoth, with its impressive size, was protected by thick skin and long hair, and also had powerful tusks used for defense. These features made hunting mammoths not only important but also a ritual event, such as the initiation of new hunter-warriors, a kind of “baptism by battle.” Mammoths attracted people not only as a coveted trophy but also as a source of excellent material for constructing dwellings and household utensils. Naturally, humans could not hunt enough mammoths to build their homes, so they collected “material” from natural sites where these animals had died, known as mammoth graveyards. This is evidenced by the Berelekh “graveyard” of mammoths discovered in the 1970s (Vereshchagin, 1977), where remains of about 10,000 mammoths of various ages were found, and an ancient human settlement was nearby. Tribes of ancient people, and later people from various Eurasian nations, actively used mammoth remains in their daily lives (The Image of the Woolly Mammoth in Sakha Culture: From History to Modernity, 2024). According to data presented in a scientific article by Mashchenko E.N. (2000), mammoth herds operated under a matriarchy, with the number of individuals in a herd reaching about 70. These animals grazed on the vast expanses of tundra-steppe, constantly migrating from one pasture to another. People depicted these animals on the walls of their caves, paying tribute to their majesty. However, humans became one of the reasons for the extinction of mammoths about 10,000 years ago. Over time, the memory of mammoths gradually faded from human consciousness. Only thousands of years later, when people found bones and carcasses of these animals, did they begin to create myths and legends about them, not knowing who they belonged to. Mammoths became an important part of the culture and mythology of many peoples who encountered their remains. These myths show many similarities: in many cultures, including that of the Sakha, the mammoth is described as a giant underground beast living in the earth and perishing when it comes to the surface. However, there are also differences: the word “mammoth” sounds almost the same in all European languages (Marra & Maschenko, 2008, p. 20) and denotes an underground creature— “maa muut,” where “maa” means earth, and “muut” means mole. In Sakha mythology, there is also an underground animal called “sælii,” but it is more associated with a being linked to the underground realm, which is somewhat different from the views of Eurasian peoples. In some districts of Yakutia, the mammoth was called “orok” or “orooc” (Fedorov, 2017), which translates as “ditch,” and it was believed that the channels of modern rivers were former migration routes of mammoths (Mammoth in World Cultures, 2024). Furthermore, in some myths of the Sakha people, the mammoth was associated with the Water Bull and/or the Winter Bull (The Image of the Woolly Mammoth in Sakha Culture: From History to Modernity, 2024). Mythology has always been closely intertwined with the beliefs of peoples. For example, in ancient Greece, mammoth (and elephant) remains were attributed to mythical monsters. Greek mythology focused on the human being as the center of the universe. Thus, found mammoth bones were interpreted as remains of a giant with a single eye socket in its skull (Mammoth in World Cultures, 2024). The Greeks connected these remains to their culture and myths, turning the mammoth into a cyclops. Europeans, being Christians, interpreted these finds within their religion and worldview, transforming the mammoth into a fallen angel or unicorn—one of the characters in their mythology. Sakha myths connected the mammoth with natural phenomena, paying homage to the power and severity of Mother Nature. Thus, each culture interprets the phenomenon of the mammoth in its own way, depending on its perception of the surrounding world.

Conclusion

In this essay, we explored how the image of the woolly mammoth became deeply intertwined with the culture and mythology of the Sakha people and other Eurasian peoples across different eras. We traced the journey of this majestic creature from a mythical underground beast to a symbol of winter’s power, occupying a significant place in both cultural heritage and human economic life. Through examining these topics, I realized the importance of cross-cultural understanding in revealing the complex interconnections between mythology, history, and modernity. This understanding and respect for cultural differences help us broaden our consciousness and gain a deeper appreciation for the shared human values embedded in the heritage of various peoples. I urge everyone to continue exploring cultural diversity, as each element of history holds a unique perspective that can enrich our view of the world. By looking at the past through the lens of different cultures, we can not only better understand the present but also cultivate a deep respect for the richness and diversity of human civilization. This process of learning and discovery will help us become more aware and tolerant global citizens, ready to appreciate and protect the cultural heritages of our global community.

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