The Paleontology Department was established in 1954 to study and research fossil fauna in North Macedonia. Since then, numerous fossil-rich sites have been discovered, revealing a wide variety of mammal species. Key fossil sites include Kiro Čučuk Factory, Karaslari, Čaška, Prevalec (Veles); Tremnik, Dolni Disan, Vešje (Negotino); Kurija and Vozarci (Kavadarci); Prsten and Bašiboz (Valandovo), among others. Fossil specimens from these sites, especially of mammals, are invaluable for the development of paleontological science in the country. Fossils date from the Miocene to Late Pleistocene (24 million to 12,000 years ago).

The late Miocene, particularly the Turolian stage (9.0–5.3 Ma), marked a significant development in mammal evolution in Europe. Prof. Dr. Risto Garevski made major contributions to paleontology, publishing over 50 scientific papers.

Currently, the museum houses:

• 10,000 specimens of 65 mammal fossil species

• 15,000 invertebrate fossil specimens

• 160 species of fossil plants

Contact: M.Sc. Biljana Garevska, Senior Curator

Email: b.garevska@musmacscinat.mk

Laboratory Assistant: M.Sc. Ivica Zarkadov