The Geological Formation of Wadi Al-Hitan and its Stunning Landscapes

Wadi Al-Hitan, also known as the Valley of Whales, is not just a stunning natural wonder; it is a treasure trove of paleontological significance that demands our attention. This UNESCO World Heritage Site in Egypt is home to an extraordinary collection of fossilized remains from ancient whales and other marine creatures that roamed the earth millions of years ago. The sheer number and quality of fossils found here provide invaluable insights into the evolution of these magnificent mammals.

Discovering the Wadi Al-Hitan (Valley of the Whales ).

 

The Valley of the Whales was discovered in 1903 by the scientist Beid Tal through a geological survey in Egypt. The Valley of the Whales is an open-air fossil museum. It is a valley that contains a collection of fossil remains of the feet of ancient and extinct whales 40 million years ago. Video you might like: Whale fossils were found on the surface in a completely dry desert area, which was part of the massive Tethys Ocean 40 million years ago.

What do the ancient whale fossils in Wadi Al-Hitan represent?

These fossils found in Wadi Al-Hitan represent one of the main stories of the evolution of whales as ocean-dwelling mammals, and Wadi Al-Hitan is the most important site in the world to prove this theory. These fossils are abundant and of unique quality, and these fossils show the smallest archaeological whales in the final stages of losing their hind limbs.

Important information about the fossils in Wadi Al-Hitan The following is a mention of some important information about the fossils found in Wadi Al-Hitan: The remains of marine creatures were discovered inside the stomach of the whale, which were crabs and sawfish. Fossils indicate the diversity of marine life in the area in the past. There are some shark teeth, which show how the whale was eaten after its death. These fossils helped discover new horizons for scientific research in the field of vertebrate fossils.

What is the importance of Wadi Al Hitan?

The importance of Wadi Al-Hitan is highlighted by the presence of one intact fossil of an ancient whale, and because it is a natural place for endangered animals such as the white and Egyptian gazelle, the fennec fox, the sandpiper, and rare migratory birds. In 2005 AD, the valley was registered as the first Egyptian natural site and the first Arab site to be registered on the UNESCO Heritage List. Natural.

 Where is Wadi Al Hitan located?

Wadi al-Hitan is located in the Western Desert of Egypt, 190 kilometers south of Cairo in the Fayoum region. It is a protected area located within the natural landscape of the Wadi al-Rayyan Conservation Area.

How is the Wadi El Hitan area protected?

 Wadi El-Hitan is state-owned, and enjoys strong legal protection under Egyptian Law 102/1983 for Natural Reserves, which prohibits actions that lead to the destruction or deterioration of the natural environment, and the law stipulates that geological features as elements must receive protection.

 How much does it cost to enter Wadi Al Hitan?

The entry price is 40 Egyptian pounds, equivalent to 2.55 US dollars.

What are the features of Wadi Al-Hitan from a geological standpoint? 

Wadi Al-Hitan is characterized by a unique system in terms of the presence of wetlands, geological structures, water springs and rare fossils.

Tips when visiting Wadi Al-Hitan

 There are some tips that should be followed before going to Wadi Al-Hitan, the most important of which are the following: Make sure to bring enough cold water; Because Wadi Al-Hitan is a desert area and it is difficult to obtain cold water. Pack a mask or shawl to avoid the sand if there is wind. There is no electricity in Wadi El Hitan, so pack a flashlight and batteries.

What distinguishes Wadi Al-Hitan is the discovery of complete whale skeletons in a good state of preservation

Complete skeletons of whales

Despite the passage of millions of years in these structures, many of them were found in excellent condition, and the entire structure was found in a good state of preservation. Commenting on this, Abu Al-Khair said, “What distinguishes Wadi Al-Hitan is several things, most notably the quality of preservation.

The complete skeletons of many whales were found in intact condition. This is due to multiple reasons, most notably the dry desert climate of Egypt, and the sandy environment where the fossils were buried helped preserve them in good condition.  In addition to the very large gathering of whales in a limited area, which indicates the richness of the region as a rich marine environment at that time.” He added, “The area surrounding Wadi Al-Hitan is a very rich area in fossils.

Near it is the Jabal Qatrani area, where fossils of terrestrial mammals such as elephants and the ancestors of monkeys were found. An area extremely rich in the field of paleontology, which has recently begun to have a presence on the scene, and everything that has been discovered does not represent anything that can be found.

Egypt is a very rich region in the field of excavations, which has recently begun to have a presence on the scene, and everything that has been discovered does not represent anything that can be found. This field needs attention and support because the results are impressive and the discoveries resonate widely throughout the world.

Why was it registered on the World Heritage List?

 

Among the many areas in which fossils of various creatures were found in Egypt and many natural reserves in various regions, the “Wadi Al-Hitan” Reserve was registered on the UNESCO list as a natural heritage area due to considerations that distinguish it from any similar place.

Abu Al-Khair stated, “The first discovery of whale fossils in this region was in 1886 and was in the area of the Golden Horn Island, and discoveries continued at the beginning of the 20th century, specifically in the period from 1901 to 1905, when fossils of several whales were discovered, specifically in the region of the continent of Hell.”

Which is three kilometers from Wadi Al-Hitan Reserve, but the real discovery of the area dates back to 1984 and discover 406 whale fossils were discovered in the region, which provided a lot of information for this field and represented a real addition to those interested in this specialty.” He added, “It can be said that the first integrated skeleton of a whale with all its details and parts in the world was found in the Wadi Reserve, which added to the study of whales and enabled Very recognizable.

Discoveries continued over the years, and the door is still open for many of them, as they open horizons for a lot of information and secrets about this era. The area was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the first natural heritage area to be registered in Egypt for multiple considerations, including the collection of this quantity of whales and the quality of the fossils discovered, in addition to the geographical location that enables it to be available for visiting and an important tourist destination.