Ancient Shark Teeth Reveal Egypt's Desert Was Once a Sea

Aug 25, 2026

65 min

Aug 25, 2026 20:30

Egypt’s desert was once a tropical sea filled with sharks, fossils reveal

## Discovery in Egypt's Western Desert

Recent fossil findings in Egypt's Western Desert have unveiled a fascinating past where the arid landscape was once a tropical sea. Researchers discovered 14 fossilized shark teeth in the Abu Tartur Plateau, indicating a vibrant marine ecosystem existed over 70 million years ago.

## Diverse Shark Species

The teeth belong to at least five extinct shark species, including Cretalamna cf. maroccana and Scapanorhynchus cf. raphiodon. This discovery marks the first time some of these species have been recorded in Egypt, with Scapanorhynchus cf. raphiodon potentially being the first known occurrence in Africa.

## Insights into Ancient Marine Life

The varying shapes of the teeth suggest these sharks occupied different ecological niches, hunting diverse prey. This indicates a complex marine community that also included smaller fish, invertebrates, and marine reptiles.

## Geological and Climatic Changes

The fossils were found in the Duwi Formation, a geological unit known for preserving marine remains. Over millions of years, the retreat of ancient seas and climatic shifts transformed the region, leaving behind sediment layers that provide evidence of the once-thriving ecosystems.

## Expanding Knowledge of Prehistoric Sharks

These findings contribute to the understanding of prehistoric shark diversity in North Africa and offer new insights into the marine environments that preceded the current desert landscape.

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