Scientists date thawed marine mammal bones on Wilczek Land to at least 10,000 years

Scientists have determined the age of marine mammal bones that thawed out from beneath a glacier on Wilczek Land Island in the Franz Josef Land Archipelago, placing them at least 10,000 years old, as reported by TASS.

The remains were first discovered during an expedition in 2025, according to Yevgeny Yakovlev, who leads the Environmental Radiology Laboratory at the Laverov Federal Research Center for Integrated Arctic Studies (Russian Academy of Sciences' Urals Branch).

"We were able to visit the Wilczek Land Island during the Arctic Floating University expedition back in 2025," Yakovlev told TASS. "At that time, we collected samples of the skeletal remains and then, at the laboratory, we conducted radiocarbon dating tests. We have managed to date the remains to 11,000 years. Following the 2026 expedition, we will be verifying the age of new finds."

The bones of cetaceans and pinnipeds, which thawed out on the island, may be significantly older, the expert continued. During the 2026 expedition, the Arctic Floating University participants continued their study of the skeletal remains, searching for new accumulations as they surveyed the sandy terrace separating the island's northern and southern ice caps. They recorded thirty-nine sites containing remains of various animals, whose ages will be determined further. Scientists took samples from the remains to study ancient DNA, with research plans also including a search for paleomicrobial genes.

Coverage Comparison

TASS reported two separate discoveries related to the Arctic Floating University expedition. The first focuses on the radiocarbon dating of bones found on Wilczek Land Island, while the second describes a unique walrus skull found on Prince George Land Island. Both reports quote expedition scientists directly and provide detailed accounts of the findings.

The Wilczek Land report emphasizes the scientific process of dating the remains and the potential for even older specimens. It includes quotes from Yakovlev about the dating results and from expedition leader Aleksandr Saburov regarding the bones' location, which suggests they could not have been transported by natural forces.

The Prince George Land report highlights the unusual nature of the walrus skull with the narwhal tusk embedded in it, noting that this is the first documented case of interaction between the two species. The report includes detailed descriptions of the find and its implications.

Key Claims

  • Marine mammal bones found on Wilczek Land Island are at least 10,000 years old, with radiocarbon dating placing them at 11,000 years.
  • The remains were first discovered during an expedition in 2025, with further study conducted during the 2026 expedition.
  • Bones of cetaceans and pinnipeds may be significantly older than the dated specimens.
  • Thirty-nine sites containing remains of various animals were recorded during the 2026 expedition.
  • Scientists are studying ancient DNA and searching for paleomicrobial genes in the samples.
  • An adult walrus skull with a fragment of a narwhal tusk embedded in it was discovered on Prince George Land Island.
  • The walrus lived with the tusk in its head for longer than one year, as evidenced by the tusk's firm embedding in bone tissue.
  • The find is considered evidence of an encounter between a walrus and a narwhal, a rare occurrence not described in scientific literature.
  • The skull was found a few dozen meters from the coastline, and the walrus may have died recently, given remnants of soft tissue.

Perspectives

Scientific community: Scientists involved in the expedition view these finds as significant for understanding the history of marine mammals in the Arctic. Yakovlev and Saburov emphasize the importance of the discoveries for dating past ecosystems and documenting rare interactions between species. The finds will be preserved at the Russian Arctic National Park, as the Franz Josef Land Archipelago is part of the protected area.