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News Release 11-169
Ancient Whale Skulls and Directional Hearing: A Twisted Tale
Skewed skulls may have helped early whales find direction of sounds in water
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![Restoration of Basilosaurus isis.](/news/mmg/media/images/whale_skull1_f.jpg)
Restoration of Basilosaurus isis; this specimen lived in Egypt.
Credit: Giorgio Pilleri
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![3-D model of asymmetrical skull of archaeocete whale Basilosaurus isis.](/news/mmg/media/images/whale_skull2_f.jpg)
3-D model of asymmetrical skull of archaeocete whale Basilosaurus isis, from CT scans.
Credit: Julia Fahlke
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![Illustration showing evolutionary relationships among hoofed mammals and ancient and modern whales.](/news/mmg/media/images/whale_skull3_f.jpg)
Evolutionary relationships among even-toed hoofed mammals/archaeocete whales/modern whales.
Credit: Julia Fahlke
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![Photo showing the 2005 Egypt excavation of the Basilosaurus isis skull.](/news/mmg/media/images/whale_skull4_f1.jpg)
The 2005 Egypt excavation of the Basilosaurus isis skull that was studied.
Credit: Philip Gingerich
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![Restoration of Basilosaurus isis, based on a complete skeleton.](/news/mmg/media/images/whale_skull5_f1.jpg)
Restoration of Basilosaurus isis, based on a complete skeleton.
Credit: John Klausmeyer, University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology
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