New extinct fossilised crocodilian found in ancient Egyptian rocks

A fossil crocodilian has been discovered in some ancient limestone used to build some of Egypt's most famous monuments.

While originally discovered around 100 years ago, the fossil has been studied again using new technology.

Researchers say the crocodilian, a reptile which includes crocodiles and alligators, is an entirely new branch of gavial.

Gavials or gharials are rare crocodilians which today only exist in freshwater environments.

The fossilised skull of the gavial was found around 100 years ago in 45-million-year-old limestone which was used to build the Pyramids of the Giza and the Great Sphinx.

It was originally said to be an extinct species of Tomistoma, which an endangered freshwater gavial found in Southeast Asia.

In 2023 palaeontologist Paul Burke and his colleagues studied the fossil again using 3D X-rays and concluded it was in fact a new branch of gavial, different to the ones that exist today.

The researchers named it Herugavialis cairensis.

Gavials are a group of crocodiles generally have long, thing snouts, but while today's gavials live in freshwater, the researchers believe the reptiles also lived in saltwater.

Palaeontologist Paul Burke told Newsround why the discovery is so exciting:

"A lot of people will hear the world palaeontology and think 'dinosaurs' but this study shows the rich diversity of crocodiles we see in the past!

"Ancient relatives of crocodiles alive today are found all around the world, including the UK and Egypt, with Herugavialis found from the same rocks used to build one of the Ancient Wonders of the World!"