An examination of a strand of 30,000 and 70,000 year old mammoth hair

The study examined two strands of mammoth hair, one 70,000 years old from North Yakutia and another 30,000 years old from Alaska, using scanning electron microscopy. The older strand appeared smooth and yellowish with unusual scratches and showed large deposits of calcium, iron, copper, and sulfur. In contrast, the younger strand had a rough surface with rocky structures, large pits, and channels, and contained copper, iron, calcium, potassium, silicon, and fluorine. These findings highlighted differences in the hair's surface texture and elemental composition, suggesting varied environmental or biological influences over time.