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Fossilized stony coral discovered in Ras Brouq
© Qatar Museums
Uplifting of the Qatar Peninsula (Miocene)
Object Name: Coral Colony
Period: Uplifting of the Qatar Peninsula (Miocene)
Date: 23–5 Million Years Ago
Dimensions: 6.5 cm (H) x 18.1 cm (W) x 9.7 cm (D)
Medium: fossil
Registration Number: ARC.2008.10.295
Place Of Discovery/Findspot:  Ras Brouq Peninsula
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The object is a fossilized stony coral that was found in the Dammam Formation, a layer of sedimentary rocks in southwest Qatar. This formation was created during the Miocene period, approximately 18-23 million years ago. During that period, the area was covered by sea.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT QATAR
At the beginning of this period, Qatar was covered by shallow tropical waters. Sea turtles, marine crocodiles and dugongs all lived here.
Later, the Qatar peninsula gradually rose above sea level. The climate was much more humid than today, and Qatar was covered by grasslands and rivers. Ancient species of freshwater crocodiles, ostriches, elephants and giraffes walked the land.
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Ras Brouq Peninsula
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