Mokattam Formation


The Mokattam Formation is a Middle Eocene-aged geological formation in northern Egypt. Consisting of nummulitic marine limestone outcropping across the Mokattam Hills, it has been extensively quarried from Ancient Egypt to the present day, and represents the source material for most of the famous archeological sites of Greater Cairo, most notably the Giza pyramid complex, the Great Sphinx, and much of Historic Cairo.
The age of the formation is thought to span from the late Lutetian to the Bartonian, depending on the member. However, some authors treat the Giushi Member as its own geologic formation, which would restrict the Mokattam to just the Lutetian.
Numerous fossil fishes are known from this formation. Sirenian bones have been reported. This formation is the type locality of the early whales Protocetus atavus, and the sirenians Eotheroides aegyptiacus and ''Protosiren fraasi.''

Paleobiota

Cartilaginous fish

Based on Leriche :
GenusSpeciesMemberLocalityNotesImage
GaleocerdoG. latidensGebel MokattamA relative of the tiger shark.
IsurusI. desoriA mako shark.
MyliobatisM. goniopleurusAn eagle ray.
NebriusN. blanckenhorniA relative of the tawny nurse shark.
OtodusO. obliquusA megatooth shark.
PhysogaleusP. alabamensis A ground shark.

Bony fish

Reptiles

Mammals