Rare dinosaur fossils found in Kyrgyzstan identified as region-specific species
Jurassic-era fossils discovered near Tash-Kumyr shed light on Kyrgyzstan’s unique paleontological record, but funding delays halt digs
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (MNTV) — A series of rare dinosaur fossils unearthed in southern Kyrgyzstan have been identified as species endemic to the region, marking a major milestone in Central Asia’s paleontological research.
The announcement was made by Ayzek Bakirov, acting director of the M.M. Adyshev Institute of Geology at the National Academy of Sciences, during an interview with 24.kg news outlet. The findings come from a 2025 expedition involving scientists from Kyrgyzstan, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
The joint fieldwork led to the discovery of new fossil sites near the town of Tash-Kumyr, dating back roughly 165 million years to the Jurassic era. Among the key findings was a newly identified species of theropod — a group of carnivorous, bipedal dinosaurs — discovered last year in collaboration with researchers from Munich’s Paleontological Museum.
“Discoveries of dinosaur remains began in the early 20th century and still continue,” Bakirov said. “New sites are being found, and new species are being studied.” He added that Kyrgyzstan now has more than 30 documented fossil locations, demonstrating a growing body of scientific knowledge in the field.
Despite the promising results, ongoing excavation work has been temporarily halted due to insufficient funding — a challenge that has stalled further exploration of the high-potential sites.
Similar paleontological breakthroughs have recently occurred elsewhere in the region. In November 2024, researchers uncovered fossils estimated to be 85 million years old in the Sughd region of neighboring Tajikistan. The excavation site, located in the village of Kansai, has long been known for its rich Cretaceous-era fossil beds.
Led by a team of Russian and Tajik scientists, that dig focused on recovering remains of smaller vertebrates — including ancient reptiles, amphibians, crocodiles, and fish — to better understand prehistoric ecosystems in Central Asia. Among the participants were Umed Nabiev, a paleontology student, and ecologist Gafurjon Karimov.
Both discoveries underscore Central Asia’s importance as an emerging hub for dinosaur research, despite persistent resource constraints.
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