Dinosaurs - The Times Of Central Asia

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Archaeology

Dinosaur Fossils Unearthed in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan Illuminate Central Asia’s Prehistoric Past

Rare dinosaur remains estimated to be around 75 million years old have been uncovered in Uzbekistan’s Karakalpakstan region, according to the State Geological Museum. The discovery adds to a growing body of paleontological evidence shedding light on Central Asia’s ancient ecosystems. On October 12, Akhmadjon Akhmedshaev, Director of the State Geological Museum, visited the excavation site near the Khodzhakul foothills in the Sultan Uvays mountain range, where the “Uzbek Geologiya Qidiruv” expedition had uncovered fossilized dinosaur bones during a geological survey. Found at a depth of approximately three meters, the remains are believed to belong to a large dinosaur from the Cretaceous period, dating back roughly 65-75 million years. The fossils include fragments of vertebrae, ribs, and leg bones, all remarkably well preserved. Scientists believe the find could offer valuable insights into the types of dinosaurs that once inhabited what is now western Uzbekistan. The region is thought to have been a humid, coastal environment during the late Cretaceous. The fossils are currently undergoing analysis at the State Geological Museum to determine their species and any potential connections to previously identified dinosaurs from Central Asia. Meanwhile, paleontologists from St. Petersburg State University have announced a second significant find, this time in Tajikistan. Researchers uncovered a well-preserved fragment of a duck-billed dinosaur skull. According to spbdnevnik.ru, the fossil’s exceptional condition may enable scientists to accurately identify the species and potentially describe a new genus. Comparative analysis is now underway with fossil collections from other countries to trace its evolutionary lineage.

Archaeology

Dinosaur Skull Fragment Unearthed in Tajikistan Could Signal Discovery of New Species

Paleontologists from St. Petersburg State University have uncovered a remarkably well-preserved fragment of a duck-billed dinosaur skull in Tajikistan, a rare and potentially groundbreaking find for the region. According to scientists, the skull fragment is in near-perfect condition, allowing for precise classification. Experts believe the discovery could lead to the identification of a previously unknown genus of dinosaurs. Russian researchers are now conducting a comparative analysis, examining the specimen alongside collections from other countries. The dinosaur belongs to the hadrosaur family, a group known for their distinctive elongated, duck-like snouts. These herbivorous reptiles lived during the late Cretaceous period. Researchers say the find may offer new insights into the evolutionary history of dinosaurs in Central Asia. Tajikistan is emerging as a key site for the study of the Cretaceous era. In a previous discovery near the village of Kansai in the Sughd region, paleontologists unearthed dinosaur remains estimated to be around 85 million years old. The area, often described as a “chronicle of the ancient world,” has yielded fossils not only of dinosaurs but also of turtles, crocodiles, amphibians, and ancient fish. Kansai has long been on the scientific map. In the 1960s and 1980s, expeditions led by the renowned Soviet paleontologist Anatoly Rozhdestvensky explored the region extensively. His team identified several new species, including therizinosaurs. One of the most notable finds from that era was a nearly complete femur of a therizinosaur. Many of these rare specimens are now housed in the History and Local Lore Museum of the Sogdian Region, which attracts visitors with its collection of prehistoric fossils and other ancient artifacts. Among the museum’s standout items is the jawbone of a southern elephant, estimated to be 2.5 million years old. It was discovered on the shore of the Kayrakkum Reservoir in 2013. According to museum director Mansur Boimatov, similar remains were first uncovered in 1978. At that time, local artisans created a bas-relief of the elephant, which was later installed in the Khujand Museum.

Archaeology

Rare Dinosaur Fossils Discovered in Kyrgyzstan

Rare dinosaur fossils unearthed in Kyrgyzstan have been identified as species endemic to the region, according to Ayzek Bakirov, acting director of the M.M. Adyshev Institute of Geology at the National Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan. Bakirov shared the findings in an interview with 24.kg. The discoveries stem from a series of joint expeditions in 2025 involving scientists from Kyrgyzstan, Germany, and the United Kingdom. As a result, new Jurassic-era sites, dating back approximately 165 million years, were located near the town of Tash-Kumyr in southern Kyrgyzstan. While these sites hold significant scientific promise, excavation has been temporarily suspended due to a lack of funding. Notably, a new species of theropod, a group of predatory dinosaurs, was discovered in the Tash-Kumyr area last year during earlier fieldwork conducted with researchers from Munich’s Paleontological Museum. “Discoveries of dinosaur remains began in the early 20th century and still continue. New sites are being found, and new species are being studied,” Bakirov noted. He added that more than 30 dinosaur fossil sites are now known across Kyrgyzstan, highlighting the steady progress of local scientific efforts. Elsewhere in the region, significant paleontological discoveries have also been made. In November 2024, scientists unearthed dinosaur fossils estimated to be 85 million years old in Tajikistan’s Sughd region. Excavations took place in the village of Kansai, a site long recognized for its wealth of prehistoric remains, including reptiles, turtles, crocodiles, amphibians, and fish from the Cretaceous period. That expedition, led by Russian and Tajik researchers, built upon Soviet-era studies. Among the participants were Umed Nabiev, a master’s student in paleontology, and ecologist Gafurjon Karimov. The team focused on recovering smaller vertebrates to help expand the understanding of prehistoric ecosystems in Central Asia.

Archaeology

85-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Fossils Discovered in Tajikistan’s Sughd Region

Dinosaur fossils estimated to be 85 million years old have been discovered in Tajikistan's Sughd region. The excavation took place in the village of Kansai, a renowned paleontological site known for its rich array of prehistoric animals, including ancient lizards, turtles, crocodiles, amphibians, and fish from the Cretaceous period. The expedition, organized by Russian and Tajik scientists, builds on Kansai’s long-standing significance in paleontology. In the 1960s, Soviet scientist Anatoly Rozhdestvensky and his team uncovered numerous dinosaur remains, including a therizinosaur femur. In the 1980s, Lev Nesov identified traces of mammals from the Cretaceous period. This year, a team led by Associate Professor Pavel Skuchas from St. Petersburg State University has expanded research in Kansai, focusing on smaller vertebrates. Tajik researchers, including Umed Nabiev, a master’s student in paleontology, and ecologist Gafurjon Karimov, joined the excavation. The fossils were excavated from the walls of a large canyon containing Upper Cretaceous sediment layers, where the team found remains of lizards, salamanders, frogs, and fish. “We used a washing technique to carefully extract even the smallest bones and teeth,” Nabiev explained, noting that a special adhesive was applied to the rock to protect these fragile finds. Among the larger discoveries were crocodile and turtle shells, as well as the bones of an 85 million-year-old dinosaur. Further research will determine which parts of the dinosaur’s body these bones belonged to. The excavation is set to resume next May, and scientists plan to explore new canyon sections previously mined for cement production. “Previously, the remains of large animals have been studied quite well, while the remains of smaller animals, such as amphibians and reptiles, have been neglected. In our next expedition, we will also search for small vertebrates,” Nabiev added. Tajikistan has seen several significant archaeological discoveries in recent years. In 2023, artifacts unearthed at the Oshkhon site in the Eastern Pamirs indicated human presence dating back about 14,000 years. In 2021, a joint Tajik-German expedition in the village of Khushdilon (Torbulak) near Danghara district uncovered the remains of a Hellenistic sanctuary dating from the 3rd to 1st centuries B.C. These findings continue to expand the historical and cultural understanding of the region.

Archaeology

New Species of Dinosaur Discovered in Kyrgyzstan

German and Kyrgyz palaeontologists have discovered the remains of a previously unknown species of predatory dinosaur in the vicinity of the town of Tash-Kumyr. Named Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus after the mythological bird Alpkarakush from the great Kyrgyz epic 'Manas', it is the first theropod to be found on Kyrgyz territory. The dinosaur's remains, found in the Balaban-Sai Formation, date to the Middle Jurassic period, about 165 million years ago. Remarkably intact, the skeleton including the skull and vertebrae, has enabled the team to gauge its appearance. Although similar to members of the Metriacanthosauridae family and close to large predators of East Asia, the unusual “eyebrow” on the skull -- which according to scientists indicates the presence of a horn -- makes the Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus unique among other theropods. As such, the discovery marks a significant step in our understanding of both the biogeography of theropods and the evolution of Central Asia. In due course, the reconstruction of the dinosaur's skeleton will take pride of place in the National History Museum in Bishkek.