Rare whale skeleton unearthed in Wadi al-Hitan, Egypt

An 18-meter long Basilosaurus whale - the biggest and most complete fossilized whale in the world - was unearthed in Wadi al Hitan - or Whales Valley - in Fayyoum, 100 kilometers southwest of Cairo, the environment minister said.

At a press conference Tuesday, Khaled Fahmi said the skeleton contains remains of sea creatures which the whale ate, thus uncovering the nature of sea creatures and whale's food in the area which dates back to 40 million years ago.

The national team behind this rare discovery has also found a large number of sharks' teeth beside the whale, the minister said.

Minister of Higher Education Ahmed Abdel Khaleq attended the press conference along with Fayyoum Governor Wael Makram and Head of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency Ahmed Abul Soud.