Ancient Fossil of
Four-Legged Whale , Discovered in Egypt.
The BBC reports that scientists in Egypt have identified
a new species of four-legged whale that is believed
to have existed about 43 million years ago.
The fossil of the amphibious Phiomicetus anubis was uncovered in Egypt's Western Desert.
More specifically, the partial skeleton was discovered in the Fayum Depression.
The species was named after the ancient
Egyptian jackal-headed god of the dead,
as the skull resembles that of Anubis.
According to the BBC, modern whales evolved
from land-dwelling deer-like mammals
over the course of 10 million years.
Phiomicetus anubis is estimated to have weighed over 1300 pounds and been 10 feet in length.
The massive creature was able to both
walk on land and swim in the water.
It was analyzed by scientists
at Mansoura University.
Despite the area currently being a desert,
it was once covered by a sea and
now contains many fossils.
Despite the area currently being a desert,
it was once covered by a sea and
now contains many fossils.
Phiomicetus anubis is a key new
whale species, and a critical
discovery for Egyptian
and African paleontology, Abdullah Gohar, the study's lead author, via BBC.
Phiomicetus anubis is a key new
whale species, and a critical
discovery for Egyptian
and African paleontology, Abdullah Gohar, the study's lead author, via BBC.
According to the BBC, the Phiomicetus anubis
is believed to be the earliest type
of semi-aquatic whale to be discovered in Africa