Dive into the extraordinary world of marine mammals that ruled the seas 37 million years ago, resurrected in fossils at the Egyptian Desert
In a thrilling paleontological discovery, the world’s sole intact fossil of an early whale, known as Basilosaurus and dating back approximately 40 million years, has been unearthed during an excavation at Wadi Al-Hitan in Egypt. This finding serves as a remarkable testament to Earth’s ancient history, shedding light on the evolution of these marine giants and the rich geological past of the region. Wadi Al-Hitan, often referred to as the “Valley of Whales,” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Western Desert of Egypt. The site has long been renowned for its wealth of fossil ized remains of early whales and other marine creatures. However, the discovery of a complete Basilosaurus fossil stands out as a landmark moment in the field of paleontology. Despite its name, Basilosaurus was not a true dinosaur but rather a prehistoric ancestor of modern-day whales. It was an astonishing creature, featuring elongated, serpent-like bodies and substantial size, reaching up to 60...