Basilosaurus isis the apex predator of the Whale Valley.
Basilosaurus isis the apex predator of the Whale Valley
Complete skeletons of ancient whales belonging to the group Archaeoceti which still retain small hind legs and feet illustrate the transition of whales from land-dwelling mammals into fully aquatic ocean-dwelling creatures. Dating back 40 to 42 million years to the middle-to-late Eocene epoch these fossils were discovered at Wadi Al-Hitan or "Valley of the Whales" in Egypt. Among these finds is Basilosaurus an extinct apex predator of the Eocene oceans a period within the Cenozoic Era that followed the age of the dinosaurs.
Wadi Al-Hitan, or the "Valley of the Whales" part of the Sahara Desert is an archaeological and paleontological site located in the middle of the Western Desert of Egypt.
The Cenozoic Era following the extinction of the dinosaurs mammals flourished and diversified significantly. Continents began to drift apart and major mountain ranges such as the Himalayas were uplifted. The Earth experienced a warm humid climate with dense forests and jungles spreading across nearly the entire globe even reaching the polar regions which were largely free of ice. As the climate eventually began to shift toward cooler and drier conditions the ancient
Basilosaurus a creature with a long slender body reminiscent of a sea serpent or a crocodile reaching lengths of approximately 15–20 meters left behind the skeletal remains and fossils that have since been discovered. In the desert region of Egypt known as Wadi al-Hitan an area once submerged beneath the ancient Tethys Ocean a wealth of fossils has been discovered.
Skeletons of prehistoric whales such as Basilosaurus or Dorudon emerge from the sands of Wadi al-Hitan the "Valley of the Whales" dating back approximately 40 million years to the late Eocene epoch.
Among these finds are the remains of Basilosaurus with approximately 600 specimens unearthed, including remarkably complete and articulated skeletons. These creatures could grow up to 20 meters in length and weigh as much as 15 tons. Possessing an eel-like body and a powerful bite capable of crushing bone they were formidable carnivores.
Sand dunes and unique sandstone formations in Wadi Al-Hitan, also known as "Whale Valley"
They also featured vestigial hind limbs measuring only 35 centimeters in length. Dating back to the Eocene epoch roughly 40 million years ago the site has yielded between 400 and 1,500 vertebrate fossils. These include smaller specimens as well as the fossilized remains of ancient sharks rays turtles crocodiles and sirenians sea cows. Located approximately 150 kilometers southwest of Cairo this area was once a shallow part of the ancient Tethys Ocean, before tectonic uplift caused the water to recede eventually transforming the region into a desert.
