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Desert diamond crystals discovered in Al Wakra
© National Museum of Qatar
Shaping the Qatar Peninsula (Quaternary)
Object Name: Desert Diamond Crystal
Period: Shaping the Qatar Peninsula (Quaternary)
Date: 3million – 4,000 years ago
Provenance: Gift -- Taylor Norman 24/4/13
Dimensions: 20.7 mm (H) x 41.3 mm (W) x 30.2 mm (D)
Medium: quartz
Registration Number: QNM.2013.88.240
Place Of Discovery/Findspot:  Traina
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These are quartz pebbles known as desert diamonds. These pebbles were washed in from the Arabian Shield during the much wetter Pliocene period.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT QATAR
During the Quaternary period, Qatar Peninsula got its shape. The waters of the Gulf rose and fell as glaciers retreated and advanced across the world. Sea levels stabilised around 4,000 years ago, defining the coastline of Qatar as we know it today.
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Traina
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Gallery 1