Bahariya Formation, Fossil site and geological formation in Western Desert, Egypt.
The Bahariya Formation is a geological layer of sandstone, claystone, and siltstone buried in Egypt's Western Desert that dates to the Cretaceous period. These deposits show where ancient rivers once flowed and deltas formed.
This formation took shape roughly 100 million years ago during the early Cretaceous, when the region was covered by water and teeming with life. Multiple depositional cycles stacked layers that now preserve fossils from this ancient time.
The fossil discoveries here hold special meaning for the local community, connecting them to the deep past of their landscape and region. People around the oasis take interest in learning what ancient creatures and plants reveal about their corner of the world.
Visits are only possible with guides leading expeditions out from Bahariya Oasis to the excavation sites in the formation. Sturdy footwear and sun protection gear help you navigate the desert terrain and dig areas safely.
Bones of two massive Cretaceous predators, Spinosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus, have been found scattered throughout these layers, revealing unexpected details about how they lived. Alongside them are remains of dozens of plant species and tiny marine creatures that paint a picture of a thriving ecosystem very different from the desert we see today.
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