In a monumental discovery that shocked the whole world, a remarkably preserved, 42,000-year-old baby mammoth was unearthed from the Siberian permafrost. The calf, nicknamed Lyuba, was found by a reindeer herder in 2007 on the banks of the Yuribey River. Her body, perfectly frozen in time, was a paleontological miracle. Unlike typical fossil finds that only preserve bones, Lyuba’s remains included her skin, trunk, eyes, and internal organs, all in near-pristine condition.

The incredible preservation of Lyuba provided scientists with an unprecedented opportunity to study a woolly mammoth. A full-body CT scan revealed that the calf, who was only about a month old when she died, was healthy and well-fed. Researchers believe she likely suffocated after getting stuck in deep mud while attempting to cross a river with her herd.

Lyuba’s discovery has provided a wealth of new information about the woolly mammoth and the world they inhabited. Analysis of her stomach contents and fecal matter has offered clues about their diet and the environment they lived in. Furthermore, the find has fueled a global conversation about the possibility of “de-extinction,” with scientists hoping to one day use the well-preserved DNA from specimens like Lyuba to resurrect the species.