In 2,500 B.C.E., Work on Egypt’s Great Sphinx Began. Now, the Same Rock Used in Construction Has Revealed a New Crocodile Species

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1. 1h ago

   Ancient Crocodile Species Found in Rocks Used to Build Great Sphinx

   Scientists have identified a new extinct crocodile species, Herugavialis cairensis, from fossils found in the limestone formation used to construct the Great Sphinx of Giza. The species lived around 45 million years ago and has only two living relatives, both of which are endangered. The fossil was discovered in the Mokattam Formation in northern Egypt.

   Why it matters

   The discovery provides insight into the ancient ecosystem of the region and highlights the significance of the Mokattam Formation as a source of fossils. The Great Sphinx, one of Egypt's most iconic monuments, was built around 2,500 B.C.E. using limestone blocks from this formation.

   What is confirmed

   • The extinct crocodile species is named Herugavialis cairensis.
   • The fossil is around 45 million years old.
   • The species belongs to the gharial family tree.
   • The limestone formation used to build the Great Sphinx is called the Mokattam Formation.
   • The fossil was discovered in northern Egypt.

   What to watch next

   • Further analysis of the fossil's characteristics
   • Discovery of additional fossils of the same species
   • Research on the living relatives of Herugavialis cairensis
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. The Washington Post — Scientists identify a crocodile they never knew existed
   2. Yahoo — In 2,500 B.C.E., Work on Egypt’s Great Sphinx Began. Now, the Same Rock Used in Construction Has Revealed a New Crocodile Species
   3. Euronews.com — Scientists identify ancient Egyptian crocodile whose skull is missing its nose like the Sphinx
   4. Sci.News — 45-Million-Year-Old Crocodile Skull from Egypt Gets New Name: Herugavialis cairensis
   5. IFLScience — Skull Of An Extinct Crocodile Found In The Rocks Used To Build The Sphinx And The Pyramids Turns Out To Be A New Species
   6. www.cnn.com — Scientists name ancient crocodile species found in rock that ...
   7. news.mongabay.com — New crocodile species found fossilized in stone used to build ...
   8. www.yahoo.com — In 2,500 B.C.E., Work on Egypt’s Great Sphinx Began. Now, the ...
   9. www.sciencenews.org — An extinct crocodilian was found among rocks that built the ...
   10. headlinesociety.com — In 2,500 B.C.E., Work on Egypt’s Great Sphinx Began. Now, the ...
   11. www.popsci.com — New crocodile species found in rocks of Egypt’s Great Sphinx
   12. www.turkiyetoday.com — 45-million-year-old crocodile discovered in same rock used to ...
   confidence 95%