Newly discovered miniature ancient whale has name inspired by Tutankhamun

A reconstruction of what Tutcetus rayanensis may have looked like (Hesham Sallam/Mansoura University Vertebrate Paleontology Centre/PA)

A new ancient miniature whale species has been identified by researchers.

An international team of scientists made the “ground-breaking” discovery of a new species of extinct whale, Tutcetus rayanensis, that lived in the ancient sea covering present-day Egypt some 41 million years ago.