Scientists find ancient crocodile fossils in Great Sphinx's limestone

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 7 Oct, 13:37 · Archive

British scientists have identified a new extinct crocodile species in limestone blocks quarried to build Egypt's Great Sphinx.

British palaeontologists have identified a new species of extinct crocodile from fossil remains found in the limestone blocks that were quarried to construct Egypt's Great Sphinx of Giza. The creature, named Herugavialis cairensis, belongs to an ancient group of long-snouted crocodilians known as gavials. The discovery was published in Royal Society Open Science.

The research involved an international effort of scientists. The newly identified crocodile's skull lacks the end of its snout, mirroring the Sphinx's famously absent nose tip.

How it is being reported

• Egypt's Great Sphinx of Giza 'built with crocodile fossils', British scientists revealPalaeontologists have identified a new species of extinct crocodile from fossil remains preserved in the very same limestone blocks that were quarried to construct the Great Sphinx of Giza. The creature, named Herugavialis cairensis, belongs to an ancient group of long-snouted crocodilians known as gavials. The discovery, published today in Royal Society Open Science, reveals an intriguing parallel between fossil and monument. The crocodile's skull lacks the end of its snout, mirroring the Sphinx's famously absent nose tip. The research represents an international effort involving scientists…GB News · 7 Oct, 13:22
• Scientists identify ancient Egyptian crocodile whose skull is missing its nose like the SphinxA skull found nearly a century ago has helped Egyptian and European researchers revise part of the crocodile family tree, shedding light on the Mediterranean's prehistoric wildlife and revealing an unexpected connection to the Great Sphinx.Euronews · 7 Oct, 13:18
• The Sphinx's secret: Egyptian monument was built from rocks filled with the hidden fossils of ancient crocodiles, scientists discoverThe Sphinx is one of ancient Egypt's most enigmatic monuments, and now scientists have found that it could be hiding a very unusual secret.Daily Mail · 7 Oct, 00:01

In this story: Egypt · Great Sphinx of Giza · Royal Society Open Science · Herugavialis cairensis

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