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Date Published: 27/01/2025

Mammoth remains recovered from plundered site in Granada

The Guardia Civil have arrested three individuals and recovered over 100 palaeontological artefacts

In a significant victory for cultural preservation, the Guardia Civil in Spain has successfully recovered more than 100 mammoth remains that were illegally removed from a palaeontological site near Granada.

The arrests of three individuals were carried out as part of Operation Probos, which targeted crimes involving the plunder and misappropriation of scientifically valuable materials. Authorities have described the site, located near Laguna de Padul, as a critical repository of Ice Age history.

The investigation began in August when the Guardia Civil’s Nature Protection Service (Seprona) received reports of mammoth fossils surfacing during peat extraction in a bog near Laguna de Padul. This wetland, situated within the protected Sierra Nevada Natural Park, has long been known to occasionally yield fossils over 12,000 years old.

However, the suspects allegedly withheld these findings to avoid scrutiny from authorities, fearing that discoveries would halt the site’s activities.

The peat bogs near Laguna de Padul hold significant archaeological and geological value. These wetlands, formed during the Pleistocene epoch, offer unique insights into the fauna and climate of Ice Age Europe. Experts have long regarded the site as a window into the past, providing invaluable information about extinct species such as mammoths and their ecosystems.

Key to the operation’s success was the involvement of palaeontological experts. Juan Manuel Jiménez Arenas, a specialist in prehistoric archaeology from the University of Granada, and Juha Saarinen, a palaeontologist from the University of Helsinki, confirmed the significance of the recovered remains.

Their analysis established that the artefacts belonged to mammoths, underscoring their immense scientific and cultural importance.

The Guardia Civil’s Seprona unit inspected the peat extraction site with the support of local environmental officials. During the operation, investigators found two sacks and a plastic bag containing bone fragments of palaeontological origin stored in a warehouse. Additional remains were discovered in the extraction and storage zones.

A subsequent voluntary search of one suspect’s home revealed a well-preserved mammoth molar, which has since been safeguarded in the Archaeological and Ethnological Museum of Granada. All recovered items are now under judicial protection to ensure their preservation and proper conservation.

In response to the plundering, the Regional Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has imposed a temporary prohibition on extracting or processing materials from the quarry. This precaution aims to protect any remaining palaeontological artefacts and prevent further damage or loss.

Image: Guardia Civil

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