On the Eocene mangroves of Wadi Al-Hitan World Heritage site, Fayum, Egypt

Abstract

Wadi Al-Hitan is the first site in Egypt to be inscribed by UNESCO on the “Natural World Heritage List”. Wadi Al-Hitan mangrove plant bed lies in late middle Eocene (Bartonian) at the top of Birket Qarun Formation, underlying Qasr El-Sagha Formation (Priabonian). Plant fossils include casts of roots and rhizomes, an impression of a leaf and petrified drift woods. Problematic fossils include directly–preserved hard parts of Echinodermata and casts of closely-spaced, mineral-filled siphons of bivalves. All fossils are described, illustrated and discussed in detail.