Jesper Nyström’s ”Vem dödade Lonely boy? Den sista mammutens gåta” explores the extinction of the woolly mammoth, framing it as a captivating murder mystery. The narrative begins with Lonely Boy, a mammoth whose remains were discovered on Wrangel Island and dated to a surprisingly recent 4,000 years ago, long after mammoths had disappeared from the mainland. This discovery sets the stage for a broader investigation into the disappearance of the mammoth and other megafauna like the giant cave bear, giant ground sloth, and saber-toothed tiger. Interwoven with the scientific inquiry is a reflection on the portrayal of mammoths in art, from ancient cave paintings to modern-day school posters. Nyström contrasts the stylized, often surreal depictions in prehistoric art with the more realistic, yet melancholic, image of a lone mammoth on a school poster, triggering a contemplative journey into the animal’s final days.
Nyström, a science journalist and former researcher, delves into the various theories surrounding mammoth extinction, drawing on paleontology, paleogenetics, and other scientific disciplines. He dismisses hunting and disease as primary causes, focusing instead on climate change as the most likely culprit. He highlights the contributions of paleogenetics, a relatively new field that analyzes ancient DNA, represented in the book by Love Dalén, a researcher portrayed as a real-life Indiana Jones. Dalén’s work, extracting DNA from permafrost-preserved mammoth remains, allows scientists to reconstruct the lives of individual mammoths, like Kik, whose 28-year journey across Alaska was meticulously mapped using isotopic analysis of his tusks. This detailed reconstruction provides valuable insights into mammoth behavior and their interaction with their environment, further informing the mystery of their decline.
The mammoth, as Nyström portrays it, transcends scientific curiosity and enters the realm of popular culture. It appears in video games, television series like ”Fortitude,” and museum displays, solidifying its place in our collective imagination. Nyström’s book navigates this intersection of science and popular culture, making complex research accessible to a wider audience. He employs a casual, conversational style, reminiscent of popular science articles, characterized by short sentences and occasional humor. However, this stylistic choice occasionally dips into what some might consider dad jokes and stereotypical portrayals of family dynamics, which can detract from the overall narrative.
While Nyström’s lighthearted approach aims to engage the reader, some of the humor can feel forced and even border on perpetuating traditional gender roles. His self-deprecating anecdotes about family life and his portrayal of the ”family overlord,” while intended to be humorous, can be interpreted as reinforcing outdated notions of domesticity. This underlying current of conventional masculinity also subtly permeates the larger narrative of the lone mammoth, reflecting a romanticized ideal of male solitude and independence.
Despite these occasional stylistic missteps, the book’s strength lies in its ability to translate complex scientific concepts into a compelling narrative. Nyström’s passion for the subject shines through, making the investigation into the mammoth’s extinction a truly engaging read. The book successfully blends scientific rigor with a touch of personal reflection, allowing readers to connect with the material on multiple levels. The juxtaposition of the lone mammoth on the school poster with the scientific unraveling of the species’ demise creates a poignant narrative arc, prompting reflection on humanity’s relationship with the natural world and the enduring mysteries of the past.
The recurring motif of male solitude, both in the context of mammoth behavior and Nyström’s personal anecdotes, adds another layer to the narrative. The male mammoths, driven from the herd upon reaching maturity, often met solitary and unfortunate ends. This resonates with a certain romanticized notion of masculine independence, tinged with both freedom and vulnerability. Similarly, Nyström’s humorous portrayal of his own domestic life, while potentially problematic, also hints at this same theme of male solitude and the pressures of societal expectations. This blend of scientific exploration and personal reflection ultimately enriches the narrative, making it a unique and thought-provoking exploration of the mammoth’s extinction and its broader implications for our understanding of the natural world and ourselves.
