The first stage of the scientific research expedition of the Russian Geographical Society, whose main goal is to reconstruct ancient ecosystems in the Yenisei River basin, has ended in the north of Taimyr. Specialists from the RGS and local divers studied the bottom sediments of Lake Lyto, and also checked the probable location of the remains of mammoths and other prehistoric animals.
Even in late spring, expedition work in this part of the Taimyr Peninsula has to be carried out in harsh natural conditions — at low temperatures and ice thickness up to 2.4 m. The depth of Lake Lyto in its middle part is about 75 m, sampling was carried out at a depth of 12 m.
The materials collected by the expedition are already being prepared for laboratory tests. They will be conducted by scientists from specialized institutes.
«At the first stage, the mammoth remains themselves have not yet been discovered, but it is safe to say that they definitely exist — the nature of the bottom structures and indirect signs speak for themselves. For the team of the Norilsk Branch of the RGS, this is not a reason to stop — on the contrary, now there is an accurate understanding of where to look next. In summer, a series of dives is needed — detailed exploration under the water column will provide answers. This is just the beginning of a long journey to restore the history of ancient Taimyr,» said Maksim Mironov, head of the expedition, Chairman of the Norilsk Branch of the RGS.
The expedition was organized on the initiative of the Norilsk Branch of the Russian Geographical Society with the participation of the Taimyr Branch of the RGS, the Taimyr Museum of Local History, and with the support of the Norilsk Development Agency.
Igor Spiridenko, Chairman of the Krasnoyarsk Regional Branch of the RGS, emphasized the importance of the project. He noted that the new information will allow scientists to refine paleogeographic data on the ecosystems of Taimyr and the Arctic zone as a whole.
«This active joint work is very relevant and important especially now, in the year of the 125th anniversary of the Krasnoyarsk Regional Branch of the RGS. There are still many interesting things ahead,» Igor Spiridenko added.