Bissekty Formation, Sandstone formation in Navoiy Region, Uzbekistan
The Bissekty Formation is a sandstone outcrop in Navoiy Region, Uzbekistan, made up of layered deposits of conglomerates, siltstones, and mudstones. The layers sit exposed at the surface of the Kyzyl Kum desert and can be seen clearly from ground level.
The formation was laid down during the Turonian stage, when a shallow inland sea covered the region around 90 to 94 million years ago. As that sea withdrew, it left behind the sediment layers that slowly compacted into the rock visible today.
The Bissekty Formation draws paleontologists from around the world who come to study fossils found nowhere else. Specimens collected here appear in museum collections across several countries.
The site sits open in the desert, and the most comfortable time to visit is in spring or autumn when the heat is less intense. Anyone coming here should bring enough water and protection from the sun.
Among the fossils found here are remains of early mammals that rank among the oldest known from Central Asia. These small animals lived alongside dinosaurs and are rarely found in such good condition elsewhere.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
