
7.7-Million-Year-Old Fossil Bed Discovered by Goat Herder in Central Türkiye
A chance discovery by a goat herder in central Türkiye has led scientists to uncover a fossil-rich site dating back 7.7 million years, offering rare insights into the region’s prehistoric ecosystem.
Located near Yamula Dam in the Kocasinan district of Kayseri, the site has become one of the most significant fossil zones in Anatolia. Excavations began in 2018 after the herder reported unusual remains on the surface. Since then, systematic digs under the supervision of the Kayseri Museum Directorate and scientists Prof. Dr. Okşan Başoğlu and Prof. Dr. Pınar Gözlük Kırmızıoğlu have revealed a treasure trove of ancient life.
From Giant Mammals to Antelopes: A Lost World Unearthed
Excavations have uncovered a wide array of extinct species including giraffes, rhinoceroses, elephants, three-toed horses, turtles, pigs, and members of the bovid family such as sheep, goats, and antelopes.

“We were amazed by the diversity of the fossils,” said anthropologist Ömer Dağ, one of the scientists involved in the dig. “Every year, we discover something new — from the skull of an ancient pig to fragments of giant prehistoric mammals. These findings are painting a vivid picture of life in Anatolia millions of years ago.”
Precise Dating with Argon Method
One of the most groundbreaking aspects of the Yamula project is the precise layer dating using the argon method. This approach has enabled researchers to determine that the fossil layer in the Çevril area dates back 7.7 million years, while another nearby site, Hırka village, is 7.4 million years old.

Unlike many fossil digs in Türkiye where dating is based solely on general geology or faunal comparison, Yamula provides a definitive timeline thanks to well-preserved stratigraphy and cutting-edge scientific methods.
A New Reference Point for Eurasian Paleontology
This fossil site is quickly becoming a reference point for paleontological research in Eurasia. Experts believe that Yamula’s fossil diversity and preservation quality offer a rare window into the Miocene epoch, a period marked by dramatic climate changes and mammalian evolution.

“We now know this region was once home to large herbivores and a complex ecosystem,” said Dağ. “The density and diversity of the fossils suggest either a natural accumulation or a mass death event. We’re working to piece together that puzzle.”
From Local Discovery to Global Scientific Interest
What began with the curiosity of a rural herder has turned into a major scientific breakthrough. The Yamula discovery not only deepens our understanding of Anatolia’s prehistoric past but may also redefine fossil chronology in the region.
Cover Image Credit. Esma Küçükşahin/AA
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