New Fossil Discoveries Indicate the Evolution of Life in Sudan
10 August, 2025
PortSudan, (Sudanow)—Sudan has a rich fossil record spanning various geological periods, including the Stone Age and the Cretaceous, which provides crucial evidence about the evolution of human, animal, and plant life in the region.
3 years ago, A research team from Al Neelain University and the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin, led by Dr. Khalafallah Salih, has announced the discovery of a new fossil crocodile species named Crocodylus sudani.
To discuss this discovery and its geological significance, Sudanow interviewed Dr. Khalafallah Salih, Assistant Professor at the College of Petroleum and Minerals at Al Neelain University and a participating researcher in the PALEONILE project, Dr. Khalafallah began by saying:"The nearly complete skull of this crocodile was found in 2022 in Late Pleistocene deposits near the Atbara River in eastern Sudan, dating to approximately 90,000 to 60,000 years ago.This species is distinguished by unique skull features that set it apart from living crocodiles such as C. niloticus and C. suchus, and it shows evolutionary similarities with extinct crocodiles from East Africa.
Dr.Khalafallah added: "The discovery reveals hidden diversity within the genus Crocodylus in Africa and represents the first formal scientific description of a fossil crocodile from the continent during the Late Pleistocene".
The team suggests that this species may have survived into more recent times—or may still exist undetected—opening the door for broader research across the Nile Basin and East Africa.
Dr. Khalafallah confirms that the team aims to expand the scope of their research to include other sites along the Nile basin and hopes to review old samples preserved in museums. However, he explains that the current security situation in Sudan, especially due to the war, "has led to the suspension of all field activities for the 'PaleoNile' project, which aims to document ancient wildlife in Sudan."
Although paleontology in Sudan is still in its early stages compared to other regions in Africa, there are many credible scientific studies that highlight its richness and history.
Studies indicate that Sudan has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era, with the oldest archaeological discoveries of stone tools dating back over 300,000 years. Although human fossils are rare in Sudan, the Singa skull, dating back approximately 130,000 years, is a highly significant discovery as it represents one of the oldest specimens of Homo sapiens in the region.
Moving to the Middle Stone Age (approximately 7,500 to 5,000 BCE), fossils reveal communities that lived as hunter-gatherers, utilizing the resources of the Nile River. Hunting tools and pottery were found at sites like Khartoum, indicating developments in their way of life. The discovery of graves and burials from this period also offers a glimpse into the social and cultural practices of these ancient communities.
Scientists have proven that Sudan contains deposits from the Late Cretaceous period, which makes it an important site for studying dinosaurs and other animals that lived before the extinction event.
Scientific expeditions have uncovered skeletal remains of dinosaurs such as Sauropodomorpha and Theropoda in areas like Wadi Abu Hashim, which contribute to understanding the biodiversity that existed in North Africa during that period. Complete skeletons of crocodiles and the remains of other animals like frogs, salamanders, and snakes have also been found, suggesting that the region was characterized by extensive river systems similar to the Amazon Basin today.
Additionally, excavations in Wadi Atbara have revealed the remains of Cenozoic-era animals dating back to the last 500,000 years, including extinct animals like the giant buffalo and species of elephants and horses, as well as animals still found in Africa today, such as hippos, rhinos, and giraffes.
Recent research and projects show growing academic interest in Sudan's archaeological sites, with many joint research projects being established. For example, the PALEONILE project is a large-scale, EU-funded project that focuses on studying the fossils of the middle Nile basin in Sudan. This project aims to fill knowledge gaps about the fossil record in this region, which is often overlooked compared to the great attention given to the East African Rift Valley.
The scientific journal Nature has highlighted the efforts of Sudanese paleontologists like Dr. Khalafallah Salih, who strives to train the next generations of researchers in this field, despite the significant challenges facing scientific research in the country. These efforts demonstrate a growing awareness of the importance of preserving and studying this natural heritage.
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