The Almas (Mongolian Wildman)
In the mountains of Central Asia, nomads tell of wild people—human-like but covered in hair, living apart from civilization. Soviet scientists took the reports seriously.
The Almas (meaning “wild man” in Mongolian) is a cryptid reported throughout Central Asia—in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and the Caucasus region. Unlike the large, ape-like Bigfoot, Almas are described as more human in appearance, leading some to speculate they represent a surviving population of archaic humans.
Description
According to documented accounts, Almas are typically described as:
- Human-sized (5-6.5 feet tall)
- Covered in reddish-brown hair
- Walking upright like humans
- Having a more human-like face than apes
- Lacking language but making sounds
- Shy and avoiding human contact
- Living in remote mountain regions
Historical Accounts
Reports span centuries:
15th Century: Bavarian soldier Hans Schiltberger recorded accounts of wild people in the Tien Shan mountains during his captivity.
19th Century: Russian explorers collected numerous reports from local peoples.
Soviet Era: Significant scientific interest led to expeditions and systematic documentation.
Soviet Investigation
The Soviet Union took Almas reports seriously:
Professor Boris Porshnev: Collected hundreds of eyewitness accounts and proposed Almas were surviving Neanderthals.
The Koffman Expeditions: French-Russian researcher Marie-Jeanne Koffman conducted extensive field research in the Caucasus.
Military Encounters: Soviet soldiers reported sightings in remote mountain regions.
The Zana Case
The most famous Almas account involves Zana, allegedly a captured female:
- Captured in the 19th century in the Caucasus
- Kept by a village nobleman
- Described as covered in dark hair
- Had superhuman strength
- Gave birth to several children (fathered by local men)
- Her descendants (some still living) show unusual physical traits
DNA tests on alleged descendants have been inconclusive, with some showing unusual genetic markers.
Possible Explanations
Surviving Neanderthals: The most intriguing theory—that Neanderthals persisted in Central Asia.
Unknown Hominid: A different archaic human species.
Feral Humans: Humans living wild might develop unusual characteristics.
Cultural Phenomenon: Legends that became believed as literal truth.
Evidence
Evidence for Almas includes:
- Centuries of consistent reports
- Multiple cultures with similar traditions
- The Zana account and alleged descendants
- Soviet scientific documentation
- Footprint casts and hair samples (disputed)
Neanderthal Connection
What makes the Almas unique among cryptids:
- Descriptions match Neanderthal characteristics
- Central Asia was Neanderthal territory
- The region is remote enough to hide a small population
- Interbreeding (Zana case) mirrors known Neanderthal-human hybridization
Modern humans carry Neanderthal DNA—we know interbreeding occurred. Could some Neanderthals have survived?
Modern Status
Interest continues:
- Expeditions still search remote regions
- DNA technology offers new investigation possibilities
- The fall of the Soviet Union opened archives
- Local reports continue from Mongolia and Kazakhstan
The Almas remains one of cryptozoology’s most intriguing possibilities—not a monster, but perhaps a relative we thought was long extinct.