Desert Fossils Uncover Lost Insights Into Marine Evolution

WHO:

Phys.org - Hesham Sallam, a researcher and adviser, and Robert Speijer, a paleontologist and geologist, are involved in the study of fossil fishes.

The Conversation - The research team includes five researchers, with Belal Salem as a member.

WHAT:

Phys.org - The research focuses on fossil fishes that provide insights into marine evolution after the asteroid impact that ended the age of dinosaurs.

The Conversation - The team collected nearly 500 fossil specimens during a 2023 expedition.

The Conversation - The site Qreiya 3 preserved an unusually rich fish community from a critical moment in Earth’s history, only about 4 million years after the extinction of the dinosaurs.

WHERE:

Phys.org - The research site is located at Qreiya in Egypt's eastern desert.

The Conversation - The team traveled from Mansoura to reach Qreiya 3.

WHEN:

The Conversation - The team set out for Qreiya 3 in July 2021.

The Conversation - The significant breakthroughs occurred during a 2023 expedition supported by a National Geographic grant.

WHY:

Phys.org - The research aims to fill a major gap in scientific understanding of how modern marine ecosystems emerged after the mass extinction event.

HOW:

The Conversation - The team conducted fieldwork under harsh conditions, with temperatures reaching 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius).

The Conversation - Fossils were prepared through careful removal of surrounding rock and detailed study, including CT scanning and comparison.

(UPDATED June 5, 2026 04:20 UTC)

A research team, including Hesham Sallam, Robert Speijer, and five other members, has been studying fossil fishes at Qreiya 3 in Egypt's eastern desert, which offers vital insights into marine evolution following the asteroid impact that ended the age of dinosaurs. During a 2023 expedition, the team collected nearly 500 fossil specimens from this site, known for preserving a rich fish community just four million years after the extinction event. Their work, conducted under extreme conditions with temperatures soaring to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, aims to bridge a significant gap in our understanding of how modern marine ecosystems emerged after this mass extinction.