Scientists have discovered fossilized teeth from seven different shark species in the western Egyptian desert, offering new evidence that the area was once part of a vast marine ecosystem millions of years ago. The findings were made on the Abu-Tartur plateau between 2020 and 2022, and include species such as Scapanorhynchus raphiodon, a distant ancestor of today’s hammerhead sharks, as well as Serratolamna serrata and Squalicorax bassanii, which had not previously been found in Egypt. These fossils were discovered in the Duwi formation, a layer of rock from the Upper Cretaceous period, which dates back between 145 and 66 million years. During this time, Earth’s climate was much warmer, and sea levels were significantly higher—up to 170 meters above current levels—creating shallow seas that covered what is now the arid desert landscape. The Duwi formation is particularly rich in phosphorite, a type of sedimentary rock that forms from the accumulation of marine animal remains. This makes the area a prime location for finding fossils of marine vertebrates, or animals with backbones. Previous research in the region has already uncovered fossils of fish, marine turtles, and other marine reptiles, suggesting a once-thriving ocean ecosystem that is now buried beneath the desert sands. The discovery of multiple shark species in the area indicates that it was a complex and nutrient-rich environment. Sharks are apex predators, meaning they sit at the top of the food chain, and their presence suggests there were enough smaller fish to support them. This points to a vibrant and diverse marine ecosystem that existed in what is now a desert. Researchers believe there is still much to learn about the region and plan to continue exploring the Abu-Tartur plateau and its surrounding areas. These ongoing studies could reveal more about the ancient marine life that once inhabited this part of the world and how the environment changed over millions of years.