The scientists studied the sedimentary rocks in the Kolzhan area to understand the types of rocks and how they were formed. They found that there are two main types of rocks, one made of small particles and the other made of calcium carbonate. They also identified three different environments where these rocks were formed: deep underwater, sloping areas, and shallow platforms. By analyzing data from a well and other sources, they were able to predict where these rocks were formed during different time periods in the Carboniferous era.