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11 teeth from an extinct bony fish called pycnodont collected from the Dammam Formation
© Qatar National Museum
Arabia Separates from Africa (Eocene)
Object Name: Bony Fish Teeth
Period: Arabia Separates from Africa (Eocene)
Date: 55–30 Million Years Ago
Provenance: Gift - 24/4/13 - Taylor, Norman
Dimensions: 21 mm (H) x 11 mm (W)
Medium: fossil
Registration Number: QNM.2013.88.179
Place Of Discovery/Findspot:  Dammam Formation
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This object consists of several small to medium-sized fossil teeth, which likely belonged to a deep-bodied bony fish known as pycnodonts. These fish had round, flattened teeth that were well-suited for crushing their food. Pycnodonts lived in shallow seas, but became extinct during the Eocene period. The teeth specimens were discovered in West Qatar, in the Dammam Formation that formed during the Middle Eocene period. As a result, the age of this fossil is estimated to be around 40 million years old.
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.
LOCATE ON QATAR MAP
Dammam Formation
locate in museum map
Gallery 1