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Scientists Identify New Ancient Crocodile Species From Rock Used To Build Great Sphinx

The fossil was discovered in the 1920s but had initially been classified as another crocodilian species.

,   and  TIPP Staff
2 min read
Scientists name ancient crocodile species found in rock that built the Great Sphinx. Pic via(@CTVNews)

Scientists have identified a new ancient crocodile species from a fossil discovered in Egypt’s Mokattam Formation, the same limestone formation that supplied rock used to build the Great Sphinx. Researchers named the species Herugavialis cairensis.

The fossil was discovered in the 1920s but had initially been classified as another crocodilian species. University College London paleontologist Paul Burke used CT scanning to re-examine the specimen, leading to its reclassification.

Researchers named the genus Herugavialis after the Egyptian god Heru. They also noted a coincidence between the fossil and the Sphinx: both have missing tips on their snouts.

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The discovery expands scientists’ understanding of long-snouted crocodilians that lived around the Mediterranean during the Eocene, between about 56 million and 34 million years ago.

Co-lead author Philip Mannion said the finding demonstrates the value of revisiting museum collections, where researchers believe additional undiscovered species may remain.

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