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Discover the Whales Hidden For Centuries In the Middle of the Desert

  • March 3, 2015
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Discover the Whales Hidden For Centuries In the Middle of the Sahara Desert
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Hidden at the heart of the Sahara desert in Egypt, rare fossils of ancient whales uncover the history of Wadi Al-Hitan, a remote valley located 150 kilometers southwest of Cairo. Also known as the Valley of Whales, the site offers a unique opportunity to embark on a journey through the history of evolution.

Discover the Whales Hidden For Centuries In the Middle of the Sahara Desert

The valley is located within the boundaries of the Wadi El-Rayan Protected Area, about 80 kilometers from Fayoum City, which boasts two majestic lakes and Egypt’s only waterfalls.

Discover the Whales Hidden For Centuries In the Middle of the Sahara Desert

Wadi Al-Hitan was declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2005, acting as an open-air geological museum which continues to reveal scientific discoveries still today.

Discover the Whales Hidden For Centuries In the Middle of the Sahara Desert

The secret behind the curvy seemingly-carved shape of the rocks is that the basin was once submerged under water 40 million years ago, when the Tethys Sea extended towards the Mediterranean. The different sediments in the rock can still be seen today, as water and wind painted their traces across the land.

Discover the Whales Hidden For Centuries In the Middle of the Sahara DesertAccording to scientists, the Tethys Sea retreated north and over the years deposited thick sediments of sandstone and limestone, now visible in rock formations in Wadi Hitan.

Discover the Whales Hidden For Centuries In the Middle of the Sahara Desert

Today, the area counts with numerous excavation sites of whales, sharks, petrified mangrove bushes, and several other remnants of the prehistoric sea. The site contains over 390 known whale skeletons of five different varieties.
Discover the Whales Hidden For Centuries In the Middle of the Sahara Desert

The curves, the shades and the colors of buildings in Fayoum only add to the unique atmosphere that reigns over the valley.

Discover the Whales Hidden For Centuries In the Middle of the Sahara Desert

The lakes located in Wadi El Rayan offer a breathtaking symphony of colors, only interrupted by the soothing stream of the two waterfalls located between the two lakes.

Photos by Valentina Primo

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Valentina Primo

Journalist, globetrotter, and determined idealist. Since Valentina left her home country of Argentina, she has searched for ways to build bridges between cultures and foster dialogue. Her previous work in international organizations in Italy and Germany fed her passion for the world of development, while her 8-year journalistic experience in Argentina and Egypt increased her curiosity for everything that challenges the stereotype. She holds a BA in Journalism and a Masters in Peace Studies with a specialization in Human Rights.

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