Yakutsk: Mammoth, Treasury and Culture

• The nature exhibition at the Yakutsk State United Museum of History and Culture of the Peoples of the North features the complete skeleton of an adult Tiryakhty mammoth.
• The Treasury of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) displays, among other things, precious-metal nuggets, gemstones, silverwork and pieces made from mammoth ivory.
• The State Museum and Khomus Center of the Peoples of the World is a member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) at UNESCO.

The Tiryakhty mammoth is a distinct focus of the nature exhibition at the Yakutsk State United Museum of History and Culture of the Peoples of the North. The well-preserved, complete skeleton belonged to an adult mammoth, is more than 30,000 years old, and is one of the few complete skeletons of adult mammoths found anywhere in the world. For visitors interested in natural history, this makes a single, exceptional discovery the main attraction.

The Treasury of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) offers a different focus. It displays valuables from the State Fund of the Republic of Sakha: large gold nuggets, natural diamonds and rare gemstones, as well as unique jewelry and other works made from precious metals, gemstones and other materials. The exhibits also include traditional silverwork and pieces made from mammoth ivory. This makes the collection clearly distinct from the natural history mammoth exhibition: here, the focus is on materials and the objects crafted from them.

The historical context of the wider destination of Yakutsk goes back to the founding of the Spassky Monastery for Men in 1664 on the grounds of the State United Museum of Yakutia. The open-air exhibition of the State Museum of Yakutia includes the monastery’s former Bishop’s Chambers as its main building. Skeletons of a bowhead whale and a beluga are displayed outdoors. The monastery’s history, the former Bishop’s Chambers and the large animal skeletons thus represent different aspects of this wider cultural offering.

The Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography displays stone tools used by the earliest people who lived in the Lena region during the Pleistocene and early Holocene. The third floor houses collections on the material and spiritual culture of northern peoples, including the Yukaghir, Even and Evenki. Another natural history collection belongs to the Mammoth Museum: its osteological collection contains 1,450 objects; this inventory figure may change over time.

The format of the offering may also matter when planning your visit: the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography holds interactive tours, lectures and workshops in which visitors actively participate in discussions. Check with the institution to confirm current program availability. The Treasury has its own conditions for guided tours.

Discover more destinations: Mirny, Khatassy, Yefremovo, Lensk, Aldan, Belaya Gora, Vitim and Neryungri.

What is remarkable about the Tiryakhty mammoth?

The complete skeleton of an adult mammoth is on display. It is more than 30,000 years old and is one of the few complete skeletons of adult mammoths found anywhere in the world.

How are guided tours of the Treasury organized?

Tours are held by prior request and subject to availability; groups are limited to 15 people. Check the current booking arrangements before your visit.

What items does the Treasury display?

The exhibits include, among other things, gold nuggets, natural diamonds, rare gemstones, traditional silverwork and pieces made from mammoth ivory.

For the wider travel overview: Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).