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GOING GOBI:
The Hunt for Fossils in Mongolia
The quest for exceptional fossils drives paleontologists like us to remote places.
The quest for exceptional fossils drives paleontologists like us to remote places.
Ukhaa Tolgod in the Gobi Desert
Every summer from 1990 through 2019, American Museum of Natural History scientists Mike Novacek and Mark Norell trekked halfway around the world to lead expeditions in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia.
Mike's specialty is mammals that lived millions of years ago. He wants to understand which prehistoric fossils are related to modern mammals—including humans. Mark's passion is figuring out how certain dinosaurs evolved into modern birds.
The fossils that hold the answers to these paleontologists' questions are incredibly rare—so they'll go to great lengths to find them.
Check out Mike and Mark’s scrapbook about their Gobi expedition in 1998!
Image Credits:
All images courtesy of AMNH unless otherwise specified; Going Gobi: Mike Grows Up: Mike the kid, courtesy of Mike Novacek; Mike the paleontologist, courtesy Discovery Channel Online; Desert Driving: All color photos, courtesy Discovery Channel Online; Local Animals: camel, courtesy Discovery Channel Online; Fossil Hunting: Where's the Fossil?: All images, courtesy Discovery Channel Online; Fossil Hunting: Preparations: Excavation, courtesy Discovery Channel Online; Fossil Hunting: Great Discoveries: All images, courtesy of Mick Ellison, AMNH; A Typical Day: Afternoon: All images, courtesy Discovery Channel Online except 3pm; A Typical Day: Night: All images, courtesy Discovery Channel Online except 10pm; Our Favorite Memories: Mike Novacek, courtesy Discovery Channel Online; James Clark, courtesy James Clark; Minjin Bolorsetseg, courtesy Minjin Bolorsetseg; Pete Makovicky, courtesy Pete Makovicky; Illustrations: Oviraptor, Map of Mongolia, and Kryptobataar, Ed Heck / AMNH