XINJIANG PALAEONTOLOGY

Located in northwest China along the border with Central Asia, Xinjiang is a critical region for understanding Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems and Asian vertebrate evolution.

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Since the scientific expeditions of the early 20th century, a diverse array of dinosaurs and other fossil vertebrates has been discovered across Xinjiang, demonstrating that this vast region preserves a rich record of Mesozoic life. However, past research has largely focused on well-known areas and strata, leaving many high-potential sedimentary basins, mountainous zones, and remote sectors without continuous or systematic palaeontological surveys.

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As the flagship fieldwork project of the Hong Kong Palaeontology Research Centre, the Xinjiang expedition aims to reassess the Mesozoic fossil record of northwest China through long-term, systematic, and collaborative fieldwork. Following preliminary surveys and strategic preparations initiated in 2024 with co-investigators from a local university in Xinjiang, the Centre officially launched its annual field expeditions in early 2026.

 

Integrating palaeontological fieldwork with subsequent specimen analysis, the project evaluates evidence of regional biodiversity, palaeoenvironmental conditions, and ecosystem evolution. This approach establishes a more rigorous foundation for interpreting the natural history of the Central Asian dinosaur era.