While backing up a long-forgotten memory card recently, I came across some photos from a couple of old exhibitions at the Natural History Museum. The first of these is Mammoths: Ice Age Giants, which was available to visit between 23th May and 7th September 2014, which offered a captivating journey and insight into the prehistoric world of mammoths and their relatives. I visited shortly after my grandfather passed away, seeking a welcome distraction in the building that I often consider my second home. Developed in collaboration with The Field Museum in Chicago, it offered visitors an immersive journey into the world of mammoths and their Ice Age contemporaries. Lets travel back in time to 11 years ago and find out more about the exhibition that shone a bright light on extinct Pleistocene megafauna.
At the heart of the exhibition was Lyuba, a remarkably well-preserved baby woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) discovered in Siberia in 2007. At just 85 cm tall and 130 cm long, Lyuba provided visitors with an intimate glimpse into Ice Age life, showcasing details like her skin and hair. However, visitors were not allowed to photograph her (due to her Protected Cultural Object status), I remember there being two quite stern and burly security guards keeping a watchful eye from all angles. You could still get extremely close though, and see the incision made in her side which helped scientists determine her last meal and how she died. There were graphics nearby that explained that it is believed Lyuba died by drowning in a muddy river or bog, after being separated from her herd and wandering into the mud where she suffocated approximately a month after birth. It was getting the chance to see the extremely exquisitely well preserved Lyuba in the flesh that motivated me to visit the exhibition.
The exhibition featured impressive life-sized models, including a towering Columbian mammoth and the diminutive Mammuthus exilis, a pygmy species from California. These reconstructions, alongside real fossils and tusks, illustrated the diversity and adaptability of the proboscidean family across different climates and geographies. Beyond the displays, the exhibition delved into the evolutionary history of mammoths, clarifying that they are not direct ancestors of modern elephants but share a common ancestor – a point I feel most would not have previously been aware of. It also addressed contemporary issues, such as the ethics of the mammoth ivory trade and the conservation challenges facing today’s elephant populations.
I really enjoyed learning more about the Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbi), which was one of the largest species of mammoths, inhabiting North America during the Pleistocene. It ranged from southern Canada to as far south as Costa Rica, thriving in open grasslands and savannas. Unlike its cold-adapted cousin, the woolly mammoth, the Columbian mammoth lived in warmer climates and had less body hair. It stood up to 4 metres tall (~13 feet) at the shoulder and weighed up to 10 tons. Its long, spiralled tusks could reach lengths over the height of the animal, and were likely used for defence, dominance displays, and foraging. The Columbian mammoth fed on grasses, shrubs, and other vegetation, as shown by fossilised dung and tooth wear patterns. I am sure if I came across one of these in the wild, I would scream and run away in the opposite direction!
Something the Natural History Museum is famous for is the Missouri Leviathan, which was purchased in 1844 and is currently on display in Hintze Hall. This was a composite fossil creature assembled in the early 19th century by German-American fossil collector Albert Koch, who unearthed the specimen in Missouri in the 1830s. He thought he had found the remains of a mythical sea monster, but had discovered the mass grave of mastodons (Mammut americanum). The specimen was later revealed to be an exaggerated reconstruction, with additional bones from other animals added to make it appear more massive and monstrous. Koch displayed the Leviathan in a traveling exhibit, marketing it as a prehistoric sea serpent or giant beast to captivate audiences. Though scientifically inaccurate, the Missouri Leviathan played a significant role in early American palaeontology by sparking public interest in extinct megafauna.
Understanding the morphological differences between elephants and mammoths, particularly in their teeth and tusks, is essential for several scientific and practical reasons. The structure of their teeth reveals important information about their diets and habitats. Mammoths had flat, ridged molars adapted for grinding tough grasses of Pleistocene environments, while modern elephants have more rounded ridges suited for a mixed diet. These differences help scientists reconstruct ancient ecosystems and trace evolutionary adaptations. Since teeth and tusks are often well-preserved in the fossil record, they are crucial for identifying species and understanding their distribution and migration. Morphological changes in these features over time can also provide insights into environmental shifts and the causes of extinction. By informing visitors of these differences, their understanding of these species and their adaptations are hopefully improved. Next time you see the skull or a tooth of a proboscideans, could you identify which species it is from?
The exhibition worked to educate the public about the diversity of mammoth species by showcasing their evolutionary history, geographic spread, and unique adaptations through engaging and accessible displays. There were species throughout that I found out about that I didn’t previously know about. Through clear visual comparisons and detailed explanations, visitors learned how different mammoth species adapted to varied climates and environments, such as thick fur and fat stores in woolly mammoths for cold regions, or smaller sizes in pygmy mammoths to survive on resource-limited islands. By presenting this information in a hands-on, family-friendly format, the exhibition made palaeontology accessible and inspired curiosity about species evolution and more importantly, extinction.
The exhibition no only explored the biology and diversity of mammoths and Pleistocene mammals, but also their deep and complex relationship with Stone Age people. The exhibition highlighted how mammoths were essential to early human survival, providing food, materials for shelter, tools, and even art. Archaeological evidence, including cave paintings, carved figurines, and mammoth bone dwellings, reveal that humans held mammoths in both practical and symbolic regard. These Ice Age giants were hunted with skill and reverence, their immense presence woven into the spiritual and daily lives of prehistoric communities. By showcasing these connections, the exhibition underscored how mammoths were not just ancient animals, but central figures in the story of early humanity.
The exhibit also showcased the rich and formidable array of Ice Age fauna that once roamed the tundra of Europe. The exhibition placed mammoths within a dynamic ecosystem teeming with now-extinct creatures such as dire wolves, cave bears, Ice Age camels, and the iconic sabre-toothed cats. Through detailed models, fossils, and displays, visitors could appreciate the harsh yet vibrant world these animals inhabited: a landscape shaped by extreme climates, scarce resources, and constant survival challenges. These species, each uniquely adapted to the cold steppe environment, provided vital context for understanding the pressures mammoths faced and the intricate web of life that characterised the Pleistocene era. The exhibition vividly brought to life this lost world, emphasizing the mammoth’s role as both a keystone species and a companion to a spectacular cast of Ice Age giants.
A companion book authored by Professor Adrian Lister, published by the Natural History Museum in 2014, to coincide with the exhibition is richly illustrated with photos from the exhibition and elsewhere. This128-page guide offers a comprehensive exploration of mammoth evolution, biology, and extinction, delving deeper into topics such as their adaptation to cold environments, the diversity of mammoth species, and their interactions with humans. I picked up a copy of this at the time and used it to help jog a few memories to write this piece. To me, Mammoths: Ice Age Giants exemplified the Natural History Museum’s commitment to creating informative and engaging exhibitions. By combining scientific research with interactive displays, it provided a comprehensive look into the lives of these majestic creatures and their relevance to contemporary conservation efforts.
Apologies for the somewhat poor quality of the photos, they were taken on my trusty iPhone 4 which struggled in poorly-lit spaces but I have done my best to illustrate my recollections of the exhibition effectively.
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