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In this paper we present the first results of sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb zircon dating obtained for the ultra-high pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks of the Makbal metamorphic complex in the Northern Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan. Zircon grains from two HP eclogite samples and one sample of UHP garnet-talk-chloritoid schist have similar bright rims identified on cathodoluminescence (CL) images. The rims are interpreted as zircon overgrowth during UHP metamorphism. Dating of zircon rims from the three samples yielded similar ages of 509±7Ma, 502±10Ma and 498±7Ma. The time span of 510–500Ma is considered as the “minimum” age of UHP metamorphism of the Makbal complex. This age is in accordance with Middle Cambrian faunal age of the Kara-Archa ophiolite in the Makbal area. It is suggested that the Makbal rocks were metamorphosed in the Middle Cambrian subduction zone …