9-Million-Year-Old Fossils of Elephants, Giraffes, and Rhinos Unearthed Together in Türkiye

A stunning fossil discovery in central Türkiye is offering a rare glimpse into the Miocene period’s megafauna. Excavations at the Çorakyerler Vertebrate Fossil Locality in Çankırı have revealed over 20 fossilized remains—including elephants, rhinos, and giraffes—all found within just two square meters of sediment.

Led by a 15-member team, the 2025 excavation season has unearthed not just isolated bones but remarkably preserved, articulated skeletons of large mammals. Dr. Gülşah Güler, Assistant Director of the excavation, emphasized the rarity and scientific value of the find:

“Unlike many other fossil sites in Türkiye, these bones were not scattered or damaged. We believe a sudden mudflow buried the animals together, preserving them in pristine condition for millions of years.”

A Natural Disaster That Froze Time

According to Dr. Güler, the unusual clustering of species likely resulted from a sudden mudslide that trapped the animals in place, allowing their skeletons to remain undisturbed for over 9 million years. This kind of natural burial is rare and has resulted in fossil preservation that rivals world-famous paleontological sites.

A Reference Site for Miocene Mammals

Çorakyerler, excavated systematically since 1997, is recognized as one of Türkiye’s key fossil localities. The site has yielded over 4,300 catalogued specimens from 43 different species, including ancestors of horses, giraffes, saber-toothed cats, porcupines, bears, and otters.

This season alone, researchers have uncovered articulated bones belonging to at least 7–8 elephants, in addition to numerous giraffe and rhino specimens. These discoveries are not only expanding our understanding of Miocene ecosystems but also providing vital clues into the evolution and extinction of large mammals in Eurasia.

“We’re now able to reconstruct not just individual species, but the entire habitat they lived in. That makes Çorakyerler a goldmine for paleontology,” added Dr. Güler.

Cover Image Credit: Excavation team working carefully to uncover 9-million-year-old fossils at Çorakyerler. Photo: AA