Prehistoric whale skeletons found in Egypt

CAIRO - Many skeletons of prehistoric whales have been discovered in a valley in Egypt, and officials Saturday said it might be an entirely unknown species.

A complete skull, two jaws, 20 vertebrae and some ribs were found in a valley north of Lake Qarun in Egypt’s Fayoum region, Xinhua reported citing the ministry of environment.

The vertebrae and some teeth belongs to a bigger whale, believed to be a previously unknown species.

The discovery has enriched the historic record of presence of whales in Egypt, the officials said.

Lake Qarun was a freshwater one in the prehistoric era but today is a saltwater lake. Ancient Egyptians used to live around the lake, fishing and hunting animals.