08 October 2003 11:49
Mountain-climbers discover mummified leg of unknown creature in Altai
Mountain-climbers have discovered the mummified fragment of a leg of an unknown creature that lived several thousand years ago in Altai, Siberia.
The discovery was made at an altitude of 3,000 meters, local media reported. The scientists who x-rayed the discovery, established that it was several thousand years old and that the bones did not belong to any known animal.
Scientists from the Veterinary Academy and Altai Agrarian University think that it resembles a human leg. The position of the knee joint indicates that the being walked on two legs. The leg and foot are covered with red hair which indicates the creature moved on a soft surface, probably snow, the scientists say. The big toe consists of three phalanxes compared with the two that humans have.
The limb has been well preserved as the sun and air had mummified the muscle tissue.
The discovery continues to be examined. Scientists say it's early to attribute it to a yeti because this would require a DNA study. Besides, a European size 36 shoe would fit the discovered leg while yetis are believed to have exceptionally large feet
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