We drive for two hours from Cairo to Fayoum, where we begin our natural and enchanting journey in front of a nature reserve and an archaeological site that was formerly a sea 40 to 50 million years ago. Fossils of the oldest known subspecies of whales, which are believed to be the ancestors of modern whales, have been found in this ocean.

 

The Discovery of Wadi Al-Hitan:

Valley of the Whales, also known as “Valley of the Whales,” is an important archaeological site with invaluable fossils of whales from the oldest branch. In this valley, located in the western part of the Egyptian desert, valuable fossils of artifacts, the first whales, were found. Fossils have been found in this valley. These stories show one of the most critical times in evolutionary history: when the whale changed from land to sea and became a marine mammal while land mammals died. During this time, the whale went from living on land to living in the ocean.

This archaeological site is unparalleled when it comes to showing evidence of this period of growth. So it is the most important place on earth to find proof of evolution and is the essential reference book in the world.

The significance of the finds comes from their size, number, and quality (state of conservation; often, whales have been preserved with their complete skeletons complete). These discoveries were made in a safe place where each development step could be seen in order, from start to finish, when the hind legs were cut. These findings were found in a protected area where events can be carefully studied.

On the other hand, the parts of the fossils that have been preserved give a great picture of the environment and climate at the time and can be used to learn more about the origins of many extinct species.

All over the world agree on how important this place is.

The Fossil Record of the Valley of the Whale:

 

The fossilized remains give a clear picture of what these whales looked like and how they behaved when they were young. It has been proven that this site is the only place where these fossils are found in this number, concentration, and quality. But that’s not the only thing that makes this area unique. The property is also well taken care of. Interestingly, care has been taken to create the land to look beautiful and safe and has little impact on the natural environment. Fossils are on display, easily accessible, and safely stored. The buildings are small and blend in with their natural surroundings.

The Whale Valley is large enough to contain the prominent rocky outcrops where the whale fossils were found and other interesting geological features in the area.

As a bonus, the deal also includes a larger piece of the protected area surrounding Wadi El Rayan. This page discusses the local ecosystem around fossil sites, landscape features, and facilities.

A buffer zone has been created to reduce the effects of more significant threats such as rude visitors and traffic. In the future, it could be made larger for safety and easier maintenance.

 

The Conservation of Wadi Al-Hitan:

 

Wadi Al-Hitan enjoys the solid and transparent legal protection it deserves thanks to the Egyptian Law 102/1983 for State-owned Protected Nature Reserves. This rule was put in place by lawmakers in 1983. It is against the law to do anything that could harm or spoil the natural environment. The law states explicitly that geological qualities are one of the things that must be protected. So, geological features are part of the things that need protection.

Wadi El Rayan Preserve (WRPA) is where the property can be found. It was established by the Jordanian Prime Minister’s Decree No. 2954/1997.

It is operated by national laws that state how protected natural areas are to be cared for.

As part of the management of the WRPA as a whole, the Nature Conservation Sector (NCS) of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) is responsible for site management, conservation, and preservation. EEAA is also responsible for monitoring the entire WRPA, which includes this duty. WRPA administration covers all agency missions, including this one.

 

Government Management to Protect the Valley of the Whales:

With the latest management plan, the site in question was named a World Heritage Area (covering 2008-2013). The land has been divided into areas where ecotourism can occur in a controlled manner. This protects areas for study and research without allowing vehicles to enter. This is done to ensure that these places are safe.

For long-term success, you must use an effective and well-resourced management strategy backed by sufficient human and financial capital. This requirement must always be met.

For this reason, the proper management of research into fossil remains and their geological values ​​is often seen as an essential part of management. For best results, it should be done according to standards recognized worldwide.

Long-term management needs include maintaining a vehicle-free area on the property, installing and maintaining critical management infrastructure on the property to reduce intrusion and protect the natural qualities of the land, and give tourists enough things to do. These requirements must be met for the property to be parceled. Maintaining the property’s natural resources in good condition is another essential long-term management task.