News

Today, Peruzа Tleuberdina, Head of the Paleozoology Laboratory at the Institute of Zoology of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Russian volunteer researcher Andrey Rossiysky visited our university to study a dinosaur skeleton preserved in the collection of the University Museum.

The researchers met with Kopzhasar Zhetibayev, Director of the Archaeology Research Institute, and Sagynbay Murgaev, a leading researcher at the Institute and an archaeologist.

The main purpose of their visit was to conduct a comprehensive study of the remains of vertebrate animals discovered 21 years ago near the village of Maidantal in Turkistan Region, which have not previously undergone professional research.

Peruza Tleuberdina is a prominent paleontologist who has made a significant contribution to the study of the evolution and phylogeny of fossil animals from the Cenozoic and Mesozoic eras in Kazakhstan. Upon examining the specimens, she immediately began their preliminary classification based on the morphological structure and dimensional characteristics of the bones.

The renowned scientist noted: “The discovery of dinosaur bone remains in the Maidantal area of Turkistan Region by our colleague Sagynbay Serikuly is a unique find for national science. We had heard about this site earlier, but at that time there was no opportunity to organize a field expedition and conduct a comprehensive study of it.”

According to paleontological data, these bones, which had remained for ages in subequatorial sediments, gradually underwent fossilization over time. However, the distinctive “red color” visible in the fractured sections of the bones requires detailed laboratory research into their microstructure. There are still many undiscovered scientific secrets hidden within these remains.

It is worth noting that prior to the meeting, the group of scientists, together with Sagynbay Murgaev, conducted initial excavation work near Maidantal. In the rain-softened layers of soil, the boundary between the Mesozoic sediments and the overlying Paleogene horizons was clearly visible, enabling the researchers to accurately determine the stratigraphic position of the site.

Going forward, the Archaeology Research Institute and the Paleozoology Laboratory of the Institute of Zoology plan to continue fundamental research on the discovered specimens jointly. They also plan to begin work on creating a unique museum exhibition featuring the dinosaur skeleton, equipped with modern technologies.