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Egypt to nominate fossil hotspot to UNESCO’s list

Egypt has prepared a file to nominate the Gebel Qatrani area, which houses fossils of half of all creatures from the beginning of creation until today, in Fayoum to UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Fossilized remains of an early whale from 40 million years ago are seen in Wadi al-Hutan, south of Cairo, Egypt.
Fossilized remains of an early whale from 40 million years ago are seen in Wadi al-Hutan, south of Cairo, Egypt. — Cris Bouroncle/AFP via Getty Images

The Egyptian Ministry of Environment has prepared a file to nominate the Gebel (Mountain) Qatrani area in Fayoum, 100 kilometers (62 miles) southwest of Cairo, for UNESCO's World Heritage List.

“This site dates back 35 million years. It houses fossils of half of all creatures from the beginning of creation until today, such as elephants, monkeys, birds, whales and plants,” said Mohammed Sameh Antar, director general Central Parks of Egypt, Nature Conservation Sector, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency and Ministry of Environment.

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