The mammoth: a giant beast that lives under the earth
Editorial contextNear Yeniseisk the envoys heard of a huge animal in the coldest north that burrowed underground and died if exposed to sun and air. Its white, ivory-like bones were dug from river mud and carved by Russians into cups and combs, and its flesh was eaten against fever. The foreign name was Ma-mien-tou-va (mamont), the Chinese called it kee-shoo (the 'hidden rat'). Staunton notes that John Bell heard the same tale and that frozen mammoth flesh had since been found.
In the very coldest parts of this northern country, a species of animal is found which burrows under the earth, and which dies if it is at all exposed at any time to the sun and air. Its bones are very white and shining, like ivory. … The Russians collect the bones of this animal, in order to make cups, saucers, combs
About Russians and Siberian natives (reported to the envoys)
Keep in mind
Hearsay reported by the envoys; the belief that the animal lives underground is a folk explanation for frozen mammoth remains.
