In the heart of downtown Ulaanbaatar, within the Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs, a remarkable sight awaits visitors. Perched atop a pedestal stands a Tarbosaurus bataar dinosaur, believed to be around 70 million years old, originating from the southern Gobi Desert. This particular fossil had an extraordinary journey, as it was nearly sold at an auction in New York in 2012, despite the sale violating Mongolian law and a temporary restraining order issued by a U.S. federal judge in Dallas.
However, fate had a different plan for this ancient creature. Five years and 6,000 miles later, the very same dinosaur fossil found its way back to Mongolia, becoming a powerful symbol of Mongolian and American efforts to combat the illegal fossil trade in Central Asia. As I entered the museum, the dimly lit entry hall illuminated the museum’s name in a captivating display of lights, and it struck me that this long-deceased dinosaur, once on the verge of being trafficked, still had a vibrant story to tell.
The world of fossils has become a highly lucrative luxury market, particularly since the record-breaking sale of Sue in 1997 for an unprecedented $7.6 million. Dinosaur fossils, such as skulls and complete skeletons, have become sought-after objects for collectors looking to add a touch of prehistoric allure to their portfolios. However, the international community is grappling with the ethical implications of fossil trafficking, especially in the case of fossils from Mongolia and China. Since the triumphant return of the Tarbosaurus, thanks to the tireless efforts of Mongolian paleontologist Bolortsetseg “Bolor” Minjin, many other dinosaur fossils have been seized by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and repatriated to Mongolia.
Bolortsetseg and other fossil activists have established the Institute for the Study of Mongolian Dinosaurs, a nonprofit organization based in Ulaanbaatar. This institute collaborates with U.S. and Mongolian agencies to facilitate the return of Mongolian fossils, ensuring they find their rightful place in the Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs. Bolortsetseg and her colleagues consider education, outreach, and museum curation to be vital components of Mongolia’s successful fossil-repatriation program. They have not only established new dinosaur museums in Ulaanbaatar but also embarked on a mobile museum initiative, taking casts of fossils to remote parts of Mongolia.
Within the museum, these fossils serve as important educational tools, allowing visitors to delve into Mongolia’s rich natural history and explore its paleontological past. UNESCO recognizes the Gobi Desert as the world’s largest “fossil reservoir,” with approximately 80 different dinosaur genera discovered across over 60 fossil sites. While other regions, such as the Rocky Mountain area in the western United States and Canada, boast spectacular fossils, the ones found in the Gobi are particularly prized for their exceptional preservation. These well-preserved fossils reveal intricate details, such as blood vessel and nerve markings, providing researchers with invaluable insights into ancient ecosystems.
For decades, paleontologists from Russia, Poland, China, and the United States have ventured to the arid Nemegt Basin in the southern Gobi to excavate dinosaur fossils and other remnants of the past. The area’s allure dates back to the 1920s when Roy Chapman Andrews, an explorer from the American Museum of Natural History, introduced the world to Mongolia’s fossil-rich deposits, including the first discovery of dinosaur eggs. The Tarbosaurus fossils were first unearthed in the 1940s, and Soviet paleontologist Evgeny Maleev officially named the species in 1955. The Tarbosaurus bataar, a close relative of the well-known Tyrannosaurus rex, had gained recognition within the scientific community as a uniquely Mongolian dinosaur by the time it began appearing in American auctions in the 21st century, despite a few specimens being found in China. Its geological context firmly established its Mongolian origins.
The Tarbosaurus that sparked Mongolia’s repatriation revolution stands proudly at eight feet tall, measuring an impressive 24 feet from tail to snout. In 2013, it returned to Ulaanbaatar, where it found its rightful place. Both the Tyrannosaurs and Tarbosaurs, as apex predators, possess formidable teeth and famously short forearms, making them instantly recognizable and captivating to museums and collectors worldwide. They evoke a sense of awe and inspiration, embodying the charismatic species of the late Cretaceous period.
As I marveled at the Tarbosaurus bataar and explored the museum’s exhibits, it became evident that these fossils are not just remnants of the past but gateways to Mongolia’s natural history. They serve as ambassadors, teaching us about the ancient world and enabling us to appreciate the wonders of the Gobi Desert. Through the dedication and collaborative efforts of passionate individuals like Bolortsetseg, Mongolia’s fossil-repatriation program continues to thrive, ensuring that these remarkable specimens find their rightful place in the annals of history and inspire future generations to explore the mysteries of our planet’s past.