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Skeleton of a sea urchin collected from Umm Bab
© Qatar Museums
Arabia Separates from Africa (Eocene)
Object Name: Sea Urchin Fossil
Period: Arabia Separates from Africa (Eocene)
Date: 55–30 Million Years Ago
Dimensions: 28.2 mm (H) x 66.9 mm (W) x 54.2 mm (D) 148 g (Wt)
Medium: fossil
Registration Number: ARC.2008.10.296
Place Of Discovery/Findspot:  Ras Brouq Peninsula
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This is a fossilized sea urchin collected from Umm Bab, Dukhan, Qatar's western region. Sea urchins are marine invertebrates characterized by their spiny skin and they belong to the phylum Echinoderm. This specimen was found in a rock deposition known as Dammam formation that was formed during the Middle Eocene period (around 40 million years ago).
HISTORICAL CONTEXT QATAR
The Arabian Plate began to separate from the African Plate in this period and moved gradually towards the Eurasian Plate. The Arabian Gulf and the Zagros Mountains formed as a result of the Arabian and Eurasian Plates colliding.
Qatar was home to a range of marine species. Fossils of ancient plants and animals from this time have been discovered, including sea urchins, sharks, sawfish and dugongs.
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Ras Brouq Peninsula
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