Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones

So at that point, they were still relatively warm-adapted, forest-living, elephant-like species, although we can tell from particular features of their skulls and teeth that they were actually on the mammoth line. So you've got this sort of early mammoth ancestor right across Eurasia about 3 million years ago. And soon after that is when the Ice Ages started to clock in.

So at that point, they were still relatively warm-adapted, forest-living, elephant-like species, although we can tell from particular features of their skulls and teeth that they were actually on the mammoth line. So you've got this sort of early mammoth ancestor right across Eurasia about 3 million years ago. And soon after that is when the Ice Ages started to clock in.

So at that point, they were still relatively warm-adapted, forest-living, elephant-like species, although we can tell from particular features of their skulls and teeth that they were actually on the mammoth line. So you've got this sort of early mammoth ancestor right across Eurasia about 3 million years ago. And soon after that is when the Ice Ages started to clock in.

We recognise the beginning of the Ice Ages at about 2.6 million years ago. And what we see in the mammoth fossils, when we trace them up through time, starting at about 3 million years ago, right up to the last ice age, up to 10,000 years ago, getting on towards their final extinction, through that period, we can see a change of adaptation. Look at these fossils.

We recognise the beginning of the Ice Ages at about 2.6 million years ago. And what we see in the mammoth fossils, when we trace them up through time, starting at about 3 million years ago, right up to the last ice age, up to 10,000 years ago, getting on towards their final extinction, through that period, we can see a change of adaptation. Look at these fossils.

We recognise the beginning of the Ice Ages at about 2.6 million years ago. And what we see in the mammoth fossils, when we trace them up through time, starting at about 3 million years ago, right up to the last ice age, up to 10,000 years ago, getting on towards their final extinction, through that period, we can see a change of adaptation. Look at these fossils.

They're gradually becoming adapted to the cold, open environments of the ice ages, culminating in the familiar woolly mammoth with its hairy coat and all the rest of it.

They're gradually becoming adapted to the cold, open environments of the ice ages, culminating in the familiar woolly mammoth with its hairy coat and all the rest of it.

They're gradually becoming adapted to the cold, open environments of the ice ages, culminating in the familiar woolly mammoth with its hairy coat and all the rest of it.

Yes, it was a step by step process, but it wasn't just a single line because we ended up with quite a few different mammoth species, actually. So, for example, I think the most important step in that process happened about two million years ago. when we still have this relatively original type, you know, warm adapted mammoth, early mammoth, right across Eurasia.

Yes, it was a step by step process, but it wasn't just a single line because we ended up with quite a few different mammoth species, actually. So, for example, I think the most important step in that process happened about two million years ago. when we still have this relatively original type, you know, warm adapted mammoth, early mammoth, right across Eurasia.

Yes, it was a step by step process, but it wasn't just a single line because we ended up with quite a few different mammoth species, actually. So, for example, I think the most important step in that process happened about two million years ago. when we still have this relatively original type, you know, warm adapted mammoth, early mammoth, right across Eurasia.

And then in one area of Eastern Asia, probably in Northern China, we pick up the next stage. There's been what we call in the jargon of speciation. In other words, one species is split into two. So In the Far East, because the environment had become colder and more open and grassy in that part of the world, and those are the things that the more advanced mammoths had to become adapted to.

And then in one area of Eastern Asia, probably in Northern China, we pick up the next stage. There's been what we call in the jargon of speciation. In other words, one species is split into two. So In the Far East, because the environment had become colder and more open and grassy in that part of the world, and those are the things that the more advanced mammoths had to become adapted to.

And then in one area of Eastern Asia, probably in Northern China, we pick up the next stage. There's been what we call in the jargon of speciation. In other words, one species is split into two. So In the Far East, because the environment had become colder and more open and grassy in that part of the world, and those are the things that the more advanced mammoths had to become adapted to.

So there was a split. So for a while, there were two different species, and then the more advanced one kind of took over. So all through these three million years, it's quite a complex process like that. So it is a stepwise change, but it's quite a complex one.

So there was a split. So for a while, there were two different species, and then the more advanced one kind of took over. So all through these three million years, it's quite a complex process like that. So it is a stepwise change, but it's quite a complex one.

So there was a split. So for a while, there were two different species, and then the more advanced one kind of took over. So all through these three million years, it's quite a complex process like that. So it is a stepwise change, but it's quite a complex one.

The story of what we've understood about mammoths is very similar to, as you say, the human story, where the idea of a single lineage, which I'm afraid a lot of people may still have in their mind that that's how evolution works. It is more like a branching bush. With, you know, less successful species dying out, you know, so they only get like halfway up the bush and then others arise.

The story of what we've understood about mammoths is very similar to, as you say, the human story, where the idea of a single lineage, which I'm afraid a lot of people may still have in their mind that that's how evolution works. It is more like a branching bush. With, you know, less successful species dying out, you know, so they only get like halfway up the bush and then others arise.