Brief
Egyptian desert yields fossils of at least seven Cretaceous shark species
Researchers from Cairo University identified seven shark species in limestone deposits of Egypt's Western Desert, highlighting a high‑productivity ancient sea.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Paleontologists working on Egypt's Abu‑Tartur Plateau have uncovered teeth from at least seven different shark species that lived during the Late Cretaceous, the independent reports.
The team, led by Cairo University paleontologist Tarek Yassin, described the finds in a paper published in Cretaceous Research. The limestone and phosphate‑rich highland, situated between the Dakhla and Kharga oases in the Western Desert, yielded a dense assemblage of shark teeth preserved in phosphorite deposits.
Researchers noted a range of tooth shapes and colours—black, grey and yellow—reflecting variations in the surrounding phosphate ore. While the study does not prove the species co‑existed, it adds to evidence of nutrient‑enriched, high‑productivity marine ecosystems along the ancient northern African coast.
Key facts
- Scientists identified teeth from at least seven shark species on Egypt's Abu‑Tartur Plateau. (independent.co.uk)
- The fossils were found in limestone and phosphate‑rich rock between the Dakhla and Kharga oases. (independent.co.uk)
- The research was led by paleontologist Tarek Yassin of Cairo University and published in Cretaceous Research. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “An ancient shark graveyard has been discovered in an Egyptian desert”
