Researchers Identify Ancient Crocodilian Species From Rock Used to Build the Great Sphinx

Researchers have identified a previously unknown species of ancient crocodilian found in rock from the same geological formation used to build the Great Sphinx of Giza, according to a study reported by Anadolu Agency.

The newly named species, Herugavialis cairensis, is estimated to be around 45 million years old. Researchers named the animal after an Egyptian god associated with the iconic monument, linking the fossil discovery symbolically to the site's ancient heritage.

A Fossil Link to the Sphinx's Building Material

The fossil was recovered from rock formations that were quarried in antiquity to construct the Great Sphinx, one of the most recognizable monuments from ancient Egypt. The discovery adds to scientific understanding of the ecosystems and species that existed in the region tens of millions of years before the monument itself was built.

The report did not specify the research team or institution responsible for the study, nor additional anatomical details distinguishing Herugavialis cairensis from other known ancient crocodilian species. It is also unclear from available reporting whether the fossil remains include a complete skeleton or more limited material.

Fossil discoveries tied to well-known archaeological sites often draw attention both for their scientific value and for the symbolic connections researchers highlight between ancient wildlife and human monuments built using the same geological material.