Egypt Is More Than Just Pyramids - It's Also the Land Where Dinosaurs Roamed

Ashraf Fares • July 23, 2023

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When you think of traveling to Egypt for a holiday there is no doubt you have dreams of visiting the pyramids and immersing yourself in the history and culture. And while that is certainly a fabulous way to experience Egypt, if it’s the history you’re interested in, you may wish to learn more about its other ancient remains, such as fossils. Several fossils have been discovered in Egypt and this has expanded the list of known giants that used to roam the country

The Evolution of African Dinosaurs

For a long time, experts hadn’t found much evidence linking the African continent to the evolution of dinosaurs, but in 2018, all that changed when a very important discovery was made in Egypt.

Hesham Sallam from Egypt’s Mansoura University, along with his team, discovered the remains of a new dinosaur during an expedition to the Egyptian Sahara. Called Mansourasaurus shahinae, this new species of dinosaur weighed five tons and was as long as a school bus. Because this dinosaur is closely linked to dinos found in Europe, it proved Africa’s dinosaurs were not completely isolated, as previously thought.

Check out a giant animatronic dinosaur to give you an idea of the scale of these massive creatures. 

Egypt Welcomes a New Carnivore to Its List of Dinosaurs

It was only a year ago that another announcement was made about a very exciting discovery in Egypt — fossils of a new predatory dinosaur that was massive in size. The carnivore is part of the theropod group and was two-legged. Thanks to these findings, it has given researchers much-needed information to fill in the blanks of the Cretaceous dinosaurs that have been found in the region.

Some unique characteristics of the dinosaur species included short arms and small teeth. The dinosaur would have been around 20 feet long and was part of the Abelisaurid dinosaur family, which resembled lizards.

The discovery was made in the Bahariya Oasis in Egypt’s Western Desert and is believed to be the first discovery of this kind in the area.

Other Giants That Roamed the Land

Those looking to dig a little deeper and learn about other dinosaurs known to have roamed Egypt can also read up on the Aegyptosaurus, which was a sauropod that was 15m in length; the Paralititan, also a sauropod that was 28m in length; and the well-known Spinosaurus a large theropod that was 14m in length and that was a carnivore.

Gearing Up to Travel to Egypt – Use the Dinosaur Finding as Inspiration

For those who have been considering a holiday in Egypt, this recent discovery may be all it takes to push you over the edge and help you make a decision. If the allure of the Egyptian pyramids weren’t enough, maybe the history of the dinosaurs will seal the deal for you.

Uncover All the Secrets of Egypt

Egypt is a country filled with mystery, intrigue, history, and ancient ruins, and it seems the more people dig, the more secrets are uncovered.

Ashraf Fares — Founder of Pyramids Land Tours
Written by

Ashraf Fares

Founder & Lead Egyptologist Guide,

Ashraf has led private tours through Egypt's archaeological sites for over 25 years. Based in Cairo, he works with licensed Egyptologist guides to create itineraries that connect travelers directly with 5,000 years of history — from the Pyramids of Giza to the tombs of the Valley of the Kings. Every article on this blog draws on firsthand knowledge of the sites, the history, and the practical realities of traveling Egypt.

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