Millions of years old whales
When you think of historic Egypt, you probably think of pyramids, tombs and temples thousands of years old, but did you know that you can also view 40 million-year-old whales here? Now that's a trip back in time. In Wadi Al-Hitan, part of the Western Desert is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once part of the Tethys Sea - a time when Egypt was underwater and manatees, crocodiles and turtles swam here. This unique site contains invaluable fossil remains of the earliest and now extinct suborder of whales.
From land animal to sea animal
These fossils represent one of the most important stories in evolution: the emergence of the whale as a marine animal from an earlier life as a land animal. It is the most important site in the world for demonstrating this stage in evolution. Here, visit the impressive Wadi Al Hitan Fossil and Climate Change Museum. Wadi El Hitan has been transformed from sea to hyper-arid desert over millions of years due to climate change. The museum aims to educate the public about climate change and raise awareness about preventing its negative effects on the environment and people. You won't just find fossils in display cases, however. Whole skeletons of Basilosaurus and Dorudon that still retain small hind legs not seen in modern whales are displayed along a walkway dotted with invertebrate fossils and bones.
