Discovered the ancient whale fossils in the Peruvian desert

Peruvian researchers have discovered fossils of mammals in the southern desert of the country. This new finding could open up research on the connection between today's whale evolution and their terrestrial ancestors.

Ancient whale fossils were discovered in the Ocucaje desert in southern Peru, an area famous for fossil marine fossils dating back about 12 million years. However, the newly discovered ancient whale fossil dates back more than 40 million years. Previously, archaeologists had never discovered fossils of ancient mammals in Peru.

Photo: internet

Newly discovered fossils are called Achaeocetes . This ancient mammal still has similar characteristics to its terrestrial ancestors before they enter the sea. Over millions of years of evolution, these terrestrial animals are increasingly trending in the aquatic environment and thus their feet evolve into finnage and their bodies adapt to aquatic habitats. They evolved gradually until they were like dolphin whales this day.

The head of the paleontology department at the Museum of Natural History in Lima, Rodolfo Salas said: 'Achaeocetes or ancient whales are very primitive marine mammals and we previously thought they do not exist in Peru. This animal, compared to today's mammals, has more developed legs, much like their terrestrial ancestors. It also has teeth similar to terrestrial animals and has skull-like nostrils like terrestrial animals, and not as much as mammals with a sprinkler hole above the skull. '

The ancient fossil whales were only found in Egypt, Pakistan, India and North America and date to about 50 million years.