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The Egyptian Vadi El-Hitan, or the whale valley, was once covered with water and is now home to many ancient fossils of primitive whales. S | Credit: Mohamed Elshad/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Quick facts
Name: Vadi Al-Hitan, which translates as the “Whale Valley” or the “Whale Valley”
Location: Western Desert of Egypt
Coordinates: 29.2675158061781, 30.02249562989221
Why it’s amazing: The valley holds hundreds of primitive whale skeletons, some of which have “legs”.
Whale Valley is an Egyptian region Sahara Desert This is littered with skeletons of archaic whales, some of which have preserved legs and fingers.
These skeletons and other marine fossils date from the late Acene era (55.8 million to 33.9 million years ago) when today’s Egypt is immersed under the ocean of Tetis and the whales have just turned into marine creatures, according to Tetis UNESCOS
“These fossils are one of the main stories of evolution: the emergence of whales as an ocean mammal from a previous life as a ground animal,” the UNESCO website said.
Paleontologists have discovered more than 400 ancient whale skeletons in the whale valley from the early 20th century, According to a UNESCO videoS The first such discovery in 1902 reveals never seen a kind of whale called Basilosauurus Isis (before ZEUGLODON ISIS). This whale has grown up to 60 feet (18 meters) long and probably has dinner on less whales, crushing their skulls before pouring themAccording to 2019 explorationS
Evidence suggests B. Isis “There was a long muzzle and was armed with pointed incisors and sharp teeth on the cheek,” MinorMarine mammal expert at the Berlin Museum of Natural History and a leading author of the 2019 study, said Live Science earlier.
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Researchers have found dozens B. Isis Skeletons at Whale Valley, but in 1989 Paleontologists made a remarkable discovery: a team at the Michigan University and the Egyptian Geological Museum, discovered B. Isis skeletons with hind limbs, legs and toes according to a Review Article 2023S
Modern whales are missing hind limbs, but still have pelvic bones showing that they have ever had them, according to Hawaii UniversityS This means that the fossils in Whale Valley are one of the oldest known archaequet archaequets, a group of mammals from Eocene, who later developed into modern whales and dolphins, according to the 2023 review.
In 2005, paleontologists revealed stunningly preserved, almost full B. Isis Skeleton, prompting UNESCO to list Whale Valley as a world heritage. Since then, many more fossils have emerged, including the remains of ancient Eoisan turtles, bony fish, sharks, rays, crocodiles, sea cows and mussels, according to the review.
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These fossils have withstood the time test thanks to the region dry climate after Pliocena (Before 5.3 million to 2.6 million years), according to UNESCO.
Whale Valley works as an outdoor museum, complete with a center for visitors and easy access for tourists, but the site is strictly protected. Researchers continue to find new fossils and learn more about the geology of the area, according to the review.
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