9-Million-Year-Old Giraffe Skull Unearthed in Türkiye’s Çankırı Region: Almost Perfectly Preserved

Archaeologists in central Türkiye have uncovered a nearly complete giraffe skull dating back around 9 million years. The discovery, made at the Çorakyerler Vertebrate Fossil Site, may represent a previously unknown species.

A nearly complete giraffe skull fossil estimated to be 9 million years old has been unearthed in Türkiye’s Çankırı province, at the Çorakyerler Vertebrate Fossil Locality — one of the country’s most significant paleontological excavation sites.

The excavation, directed by Prof. Dr. Ayla Sevim Erol from Ankara University’s Faculty of Languages, History, and Geography, has been ongoing for 24 years.
So far, the site has yielded more than 4,500 fossils belonging to 43 different species, including ancestors of horses, elephants, rhinos, saber-toothed cats, bears, and porcupines.

This season’s highlight is a remarkably well-preserved giraffid skull, described by Sevim Erol as the most complete example ever found in Anatolia.

“Until now, no giraffe skull this intact has been discovered in the region. It may even represent a new species,” she said.

The fossil was recovered from a layer dated between 7 and 9 million years ago. “We believe the specimen could be closer to 9 million years old,” Erol noted. “Further analyses will clarify its age and classification.”

In addition to the giraffe skull, researchers also uncovered a possible new rhinoceros species and several wild boar fossils during this year’s campaign.
“Çorakyerler is full of surprises,” Erol added. “Each excavation season brings new species to light.”

Marking the 100th anniversary of anthropology studies in Türkiye, Ankara University will host an international congress on October 24–26, where several presentations will focus on recent findings from Çorakyerler.

Prof. Dr. Ayla Sevim Erol examines a nearly complete 9-million-year-old giraffe skull at the Çorakyerler Vertebrate Fossil Site laboratory in Türkiye’s Çankırı province.
(Photo: Muhammed Kaygın / AA)