Ancient Whale Fossils Found in the Egyptian Desert

Ancient whale fossils have been uncovered in Wadi Al-Hitan, meaning Valley of the Whales, in the Western Desert of Egypt. Unusually large concentrations of whale and other vertebrates fossil skeletons occur in this area - including Basilosaurus and the now extinct suborder of whale Archaeoceti. Paleontologists estimate the time frame being round about 400 million years ago when the area was under water.

One particularly fine specimen of Basilosaurus of 50 feet (18 meters) long has been found. Some of the whale skeletons have legs - indicating that these fossils have a major evolutionary story to tell.

Whale Fossil in Egyptian desert

Egypt may not be the first place you would look for whales, but once long ago the Wadi Al-Hatin was covered in water and teeming with these giants. Geologist Philip D Gingerich announced that his team had excavated the first almost complete skeleton of a Basilosaurus isis.

For more information, see what the Encyclopedia of Earth has to say: Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley), Egypt - Encyclopedia of Earth

The largest was Basilosaurus isis, which was up to 21 m long, with well developed five-fingered flippers on the forelimbs and the quite unexpected presence of hind legs, feet, and toes, not known previously in any archaeocete.