Yakutsk: Mammoth, Treasure Chamber and Culture

A well-preserved mammoth skeleton dating back more than 30,000 years, a treasure chamber containing precious metals and gemstones, and collections on the culture of northern peoples give Yakutsk a distinctive cultural profile. The exhibitions have different focuses, ranging from natural history and precious works to institutional and cultural-historical topics.

Mammoth and the Culture of the North

The natural history exhibition at the State United Museum of the History and Culture of the Peoples of the North in Yakutsk features the skeleton of the Tiryakhty mammoth. It is the well-preserved, complete skeleton of an adult mammoth, more than 30,000 years old and one of the few complete adult mammoth skeletons found worldwide. Its completeness, age and rarity make this exhibit a notable point of interest for anyone interested in natural history.

A different perspective is offered by the State Museum and Center of the Khomus of the Peoples of the World. It is a member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) at UNESCO and is listed as number 1984-RU in the catalog of unique museums of the world. This offers another institutional perspective on Yakutsk’s cultural institutions, alongside the specific exhibits and collections.

Treasure Chamber: Gemstones and Works Made from Mammoth Ivory

The exhibition at the Treasury of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) features large gold nuggets, natural diamonds, rare gemstones, jewelry, traditional silverwork and works made from mammoth ivory. The valuables in the State Fund of the Republic of Sakha also include rare nuggets of precious metals, gemstones, and unique jewelry and other works made from precious metals, gemstones and other materials. Alongside the mammoth skeleton, the focus here is on an entirely different kind of collection: precious materials and the works made from them.

Guided tours of the exhibition are available by prior request and subject to availability; groups are limited to 15 people. If you plan to take a guided tour, enquire in advance and confirm the current booking arrangements before your visit. The group limit is also a useful consideration if several travelers wish to take part together.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Yakutsk, use your cultural interests as a guide: consider whether natural history, precious exhibits or the culture of northern peoples should shape your stay most.

Culture in the Wider Destination of Yakutsk

Other exhibitions in the wider destination of Yakutsk add to this cultural perspective. The Spassky Monastery for Men was founded in 1664 on the grounds of the State United Museum of Yakutia. The monastery’s former bishop’s chambers are the main building of the State Museum of Yakutia’s open-air exhibition. The skeletons of a bowhead whale and a beluga are also displayed outdoors.

The Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography displays stone tools used by the earliest people who inhabited the Lena region during the Pleistocene and early Holocene. Exhibitions on the third floor include collections on the material and spiritual culture of northern peoples, including the Yukaghir, Even and Evenki. This presents early settlement and the different cultural collections as distinct themes.

The Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography also hosts interactive tours, lectures and workshops where visitors can actively take part in discussions. Contact the museum to check the current availability of the program if you would like to include these activities in your plans. Alternating between visiting exhibitions and taking part in discussions gives your stay a different focus from viewing individual objects.

Discover More Destinations

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

Back to the wider travel guide: Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).