Fossil excavations in Kayseri, backed by the Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality, are offering invaluable insights into global paleontological history, uncovering specimens that date back 7.5 million years.
With ongoing laboratory work and fossil assembly, the site is emerging as one of the most diverse and significant fossil localities in Anatolia, revealing extraordinary discoveries.
Fossil excavations near the Yamula Dam in Kayseri’s Kocasinan district have been underway since September 2018, conducted with permission from the Directorate General of Cultural Heritage and Museums and supported by the Kayseri Museum and Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality.
These efforts have yielded significant fossil discoveries dating back 7.5 million years, shedding light on the region’s ancient biodiversity. The site stands out as Anatolia’s most diverse fossil locality and has unveiled a new mega-fauna hotspot, further emphasizing its scientific importance.
The Yamula Dam excavation site has unearthed fossil remains of globally unique species, including horses, antelopes, proboscideans, carnivores, rhinoceroses, giraffes, pigs, turtles, and rodents.
Around 7.5 million years ago, during the Late Miocene period, the region experienced a climatic shift from a tropical environment to a subtropical one, giving rise to expansive grasslands and savanna ecosystems. These findings provide a vivid glimpse into the widespread grassland and savanna vegetation that once dominated the area.
As the excavation season draws to a close, laboratory analysis and fossil mounting efforts are gaining momentum. The initial phase of mounting has begun, focusing on rhinoceros, giraffe, and elephant specimens. The Yamula fossil localities are rapidly earning recognition, not only within Türkiye but also internationally, as a significant paleontological site.
The continued excavation and mounting efforts underscore the importance of these findings, reshaping the paleontological narrative of the region and beyond. The remarkable 7.5 million-year-old discoveries at Yamula are poised to make a lasting impact on global paleontological research, offering profound insights into the ancient life of Anatolia.
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With ongoing work, the Yamula site is on track to emerge as a premier center for paleontological study, solidifying its role in advancing global scientific understanding.
