Archaeologists have unearthed the remains of five now-extinct shark species beneath Egypt's Abu-Tartur Plateau in the Western Desert. The discovery, detailed in the journal Cretaceous Research, indicates that this arid region was once submerged under a warm, tropical sea approximately 70 million years ago.
The research team, led by Cairo University, found 14 fossilized teeth belonging to these extinct shark groups. This discovery brings the total number of shark species remains found in the area to seven. Among the newly identified species are Cretalamna cf. maroccana, Scapanorhynchus cf. raphiodon, Serratolamna cf. serrata, Squalicorax bassanii, and Squalicorax pristodontus. Notably, Scapanorhynchus cf. raphiodon had not previously been found in Africa, and Serratolamna cf. serrata and Squalicorax bassanii had never been documented in Egypt before.
The varied shapes of the fossilized teeth—ranging from needle-like to wide and serrated—suggest that these sharks preyed on different types of food. Their distribution in the fossil layer may also indicate varied habitats, with some preferring nearshore environments and others venturing into deeper waters.
These shark fossils were found in the same phosphate-rich layer as evidence of small fish, invertebrates, and marine reptiles. Collectively, these findings point to a vibrant marine ecosystem that thrived during the Late Cretaceous period, a time when the Earth was warmer and more humid.
Researchers suggest that a process called active upwelling, where cold, nutrient-rich currents rise from the ocean depths, likely supported this ancient marine life by providing a food source for plankton and small organisms, which in turn sustained the larger marine predators.
This paleontological discovery follows other recent findings in Egypt, including evidence of a settlement dating back to the Second Intermediate Period, which is relevant to ongoing academic discussions about the historical context of the biblical Exodus.