Ichthyosaur Restoration Project: Collaboration between the School of Mining and Geosciences and the “Zhas Geolog” Foundation

The School of Mining and Geosciences at Nazarbayev University (SMG) proudly presents an important scientific project dedicated to the restoration of the remains of an ancient marine reptile – an ichthyosaur discovered in the West Kazakhstan region. This project is being carried out with the support of the “Zhas Geolog” Foundation and focuses on studying one of the most significant paleontological finds in Kazakhstan.

In 2018, a group of young geologists in the Baiterek district discovered unusual bones, with a length exceeding ten meters. Despite challenges in finding experts to evaluate the discovery, scientists later confirmed that the remains belonged to an ichthyosaur, an ancient marine reptile that lived in the World Ocean around 250 million years ago. Galym Bekkaliyev, the Director of the Regional Center for Children and Youth Tourism and Ecology, emphasized that this find is unique and of global importance. Olga Subbotina played a crucial role in the discovery, negotiating with various organizations, including Nazarbayev University.

The original ichthyosaur bones were transferred to the School of Mining and Geosciences at Nazarbayev University, where scientists conducted research and created a graphical model using 3D printing. This was an important step toward an accurate reconstruction of the ancient marine reptile's skeleton. SMG Dean Randy Hazlett noted that the university has big plans for the future of these remains. The university plans to open a museum to house the full ichthyosaur skeleton and create a scientifically accurate reconstruction of the reptile. One of the leading Russian paleontologists who visited Nazarbayev University to study the bones suggested naming the ichthyosaur "Kazakhstanosaur," highlighting the significance of this find for science.

The next stage of the project involves 3D scanning and printing the missing parts of the skeleton, which will allow the restoration process to be completed. These technologies will be utilized by students from the School of Engineering and Digital Sciences as part of their capstone projects. In the future, the project plans to collaborate with museums and publish the research results in international scientific journals.

The ichthyosaur remains demonstrate that about 250 million years ago, a large part of Western Kazakhstan was covered by the ocean. This project confirms Kazakhstan’s key role in paleontological research and allows the use of modern technologies to study ancient geological heritage.

SMG expresses its gratitude to the “Zhas Geolog” Foundation and the Center for Children and Youth Tourism for their contribution to the development of geology among young people. On October 20, 2024, an SMG delegation, led by Dean Randy Hazlett, will travel to Uralsk to donate the following geological equipment.

This equipment will be used for field research and educational workshops for school and university students, helping to strengthen practical learning and engage young people in geological research.