Wadi Al-Hitan
وادي الحيتان · 파이윰주
paleontological site in the Faiyum Governorate of Egypt
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation1:31
Welcome to Wadi Al-Hitan, the 'Valley of the Whales,' a place where the history of our planet is written in the desert sands. We are currently in the Western Desert of Egypt, about 150 kilometers southwest of Cairo, in an area…
Listen in the app2The Basilosaurus Isis: The King of the Tethys1:24
One of our first and most significant stops is at the skeleton of the Basilosaurus Isis. When its bones were first discovered in the early 20th century by the English scientist Beadnell, they were so massive that they were…
Listen in the app3The Dorudon Atrox: A Smaller Cousin1:17
Not all the whales of Wadi Al-Hitan were giants. We now move to the remains of the Dorudon Atrox, a smaller species that lived alongside the Basilosaurus. …
Listen in the app4Mangroves and the Ancient Shoreline1:08
Wadi Al-Hitan is not just about whales. As we walk, you will notice large, cylindrical stone-like structures that look like pieces of ancient columns. …
Listen in the app5The Fossilized Sea Bed and Shellfish Galore1:13
As you tread upon the sand, you are literally walking on an ancient seabed. Look down, and you will see thousands of small, disc-shaped fossils known as Nummulites. …
Listen in the app6Evidence of Other Marine Life: Sharks and Turtles1:09
The whales were the kings, but they were not alone. Excavations in Wadi Al-Hitan have revealed a rich tapestry of other marine species. …
Listen in the app7The Mystery of the Mass Burial Sites1:09
A question that often 'boggles the brain' of visitors is why so many whales died here. We have recorded over a thousand fossil sites within just 200 square kilometers. …
Listen in the app8Closing1:24
As we conclude our journey through Wadi Al-Hitan, we must reflect on the profound perspective this place offers. We have stood where the 'whales walked,' seeing the physical proof of evolution in their vestigial feet. …
Listen in the app
What is Wadi Al-Hitan?
Wadi Al-Hitan is a place in 파이윰주 with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | 파이윰주 |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Total length | 10 min 15 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 29.2708, 30.0439 |
| Last updated |