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Marine gastropod discovered in the Dammam Formation
© National Museum of Qatar
Arabia Separates from Africa (Eocene)
Object Name: Marine Gastropod
Period: Arabia Separates from Africa (Eocene)
Date: 55–30 Million Years Ago
Provenance: Donation by Jacques LeBlanc in 2011
Dimensions: 77.4 mm (H) x 87.2 mm (W) x 95.2 mm (D)
Medium: fossil
Registration Number: QNM.2011.660.7
Place Of Discovery/Findspot:  Dammam Formation
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This is a dolomitized cast of a gastropod fossil. Gastropods, which are classified under the phylum Mollusca, are recognized by their coiled shells.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT QATAR
During this era, The Arabian Plate began to separate from the African Plate 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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Dammam Formation
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Gallery 1