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DNA Shows Ancient Humans Killed More Female Mammoths
Analysis of 521 woolly mammoth remains found that human-associated deposits were 70% female, suggesting Ice Age hunters targeted cows.
- An international team analyzing DNA from 521 woolly mammoths found that Ice Age humans selectively targeted female mammoths, with 70 percent of remains at butchering sites being female compared to 34 percent in natural settings.
- Female-Led herds followed more predictable migration routes than solitary males, making them easier for Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherers to locate, according to lead author Hannah Moots, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Centre for Palaeogenetics.
- The analysis examined 11 major archaeological sites dating from 30,000 to 20,000 years ago, confirming these bone accumulations resulted from deliberate human hunting and creating the largest genetic dataset of its kind.
- Additionally, the study uncovered the first known case of X0/XX mosaicism—a genetic condition similar to Turner syndrome—in an extinct species, identified in a mammoth from Wrangel Island.
- These giant mammals provided essential resources for food, clothing, and ivory tools; recent advancements in ancient DNA technology made this biological discovery possible, Moots noted.
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Once millions of mammoths roamed the country. Archaeologists know from bone findings that the animals were hunted by Ice Age people for the production of meat, fat, fur and ivory. Now there are new clues that complement this picture.
The IndependentReposted by 
Western Morning News
Western Morning NewsBone study shows Ice Age hunters were picky about what mammoths they killed and ate
Mammoths vanished some 10,000 to 12,000 years ago
·London, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources22
Leaning Left2Leaning Right5Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Center
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources are Center
54% Center
13%
C 54%
R 33%
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