Researchers from Cairo University have uncovered fossilized remains of five extinct shark species beneath the Abu-Tartur Plateau in Egypt’s Western Desert, indicating that the area was once covered by a warm, tropical sea roughly 70 million years ago. The findings were detailed in a study published in the journal Cretaceous Research.

The discovery involved the analysis of 14 fossilized shark teeth, which the team identified as belonging to several now-extinct species. Notably, one of these species may represent a type of shark not previously documented on the African continent. This expands the understanding of marine life distribution during the Late Cretaceous period.

The Abu-Tartur Plateau is a remote and arid region today, known for its harsh desert environment. The presence of these marine fossils provides clear evidence that the landscape was vastly different millions of years ago, submerged under a prehistoric sea that supported diverse marine ecosystems. The researchers’ findings highlight how geological and climatic changes over millions of years have dramatically transformed the area.

This study contributes to broader paleontological and geological knowledge by illuminating aspects of the region’s ancient environment and adding new data about shark diversity during the Cretaceous. The research team’s work underscores the potential for further fossil discoveries beneath the region’s surface and encourages continued exploration of Egypt’s Western Desert for insights into Earth’s prehistoric past.