Ancient fossil discoveries made in Egypt and Norway

Significant paleontological discoveries have been made in Egypt and Norway, providing new insights into ancient marine ecosystems.

In Egypt, researchers have identified fossil deposits in the Eastern and Western Deserts that reveal the region was once covered by warm, shallow seas. At the Qreiya 3 site, approximately 500 fish fossils dating back 62.2 million years were found, including species related to tuna and mackerel. This site, classified as a Lagerstätte due to its exceptional preservation, offers a glimpse into marine life recovery following the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction. Additionally, findings in the Abu-Tartur plateau include shark teeth from at least seven different species dating back over 70 million years.

In Norway, scientists led by the University of Cambridge have discovered a rare 560-million-year-old three-dimensional fossil of Charnia. Found in a sheep field in the Arctic, this Ediacaran-period organism resembles a fern and was likely a sedentary, soft-bodied creature. Unlike most fossils from this era which appear as flat impressions, this specimen was preserved in 3D due to an ancient underwater avalanche. The high level of detail allowed researchers to identify subtle ridges, or “keels,” along its branches, a feature previously undetected in flatter specimens.