Scientists identify a crocodile they never knew existed

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1. 59m ago

   Scientists Identify New Extinct Crocodile Species in Sphinx Rock

   Scientists have identified a new extinct crocodile species, named Herugavialis cairensis, from fossilized remains discovered in the same limestone formation used to build Egypt's Great Sphinx and the pyramids. Dating back approximately 45 million years, the fossilized skull spent nearly a century in collections before researchers determined it belonged to an unknown long-snouted animal. Uniquely, the ancient crocodile skull is missing the tip of its snout, mirroring the famous facial damage of the nearby Great Sphinx monument. The discovery provides fresh insights into the prehistoric fauna of northern Egypt when a warm, shallow sea covered the region.

   Why it matters

   The fossils originate from the Mokattam Formation, the same geological layer that provided stone for ancient Egyptian construction projects around 2,500 B.C.E. This long-snouted predator hunted in warm shallow waters roughly 45 million years ago, long before human monuments were carved from the local limestone. The coincidence of the skull missing its nose drew immediate comparisons to the Great Sphinx.

   What is confirmed

   • Scientists identified a new extinct crocodile species named Herugavialis cairensis from fossils discovered in the stone used to build Egypt's Great Sphinx.
   • The fossilized skull dates back approximately 45 million years to a time when a warm, shallow sea covered northern Egypt.
   • The ancient crocodile specimen is missing the tip of its snout.
   • The fossils were recovered from the Mokattam Formation.

   What to watch next

   • Further anatomical studies of the Herugavialis cairensis skull in museum collections.
   • Additional geological surveys of the Mokattam Formation for related prehistoric fossils.
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. The Washington Post — Scientists identify a crocodile they never knew existed
   2. Phys.org — New crocodile species discovered in rocks used to build the Great Sphinx
   3. Science News — An extinct crocodilian was found among rocks that built the Great Sphinx
   4. Mongabay News — New crocodile species found fossilized in stone used to build Egypt’s Great Sphinx
   5. CNN — Ancient crocodile species discovered in the same stone that built the Great Sphinx
   6. ua.news — Egypt describes new species of ancient crocodile from the Mokattam Formation — The National
   7. AOL.com — 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
   8. People.com — Ancient Crocodile Species Discovered in the Same Stone That Built Egypt’s Great Sphinx
   9. Popular Science — New crocodile species found in rocks of Egypt’s Great Sphinx
   10. Euronews.com — Scientists identify ancient Egyptian crocodile whose skull is missing its nose like the Sphinx
   11. Sci.News — 45-Million-Year-Old Crocodile Skull from Egypt Gets New Name: Herugavialis cairensis
   12. 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
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