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15 small marine gastropods collected from the Dammam Formation
© Qatar National Museum
Arabia Separates from Africa (Eocene)
Object Name: Marine Gastropod
Period: Arabia Separates from Africa (Eocene)
Date: 55–30 Million Years Ago
Provenance: Gift - 24/4/13 - Taylor, Norman
Dimensions: 22 mm (H) x 11 mm (W)
Medium: fossil
Registration Number: QNM.2013.88.180
Place Of Discovery/Findspot:  Dammam Formation
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This collection consists of 15 fossilized gastropods that range in shape from coiled to spiral. The specimens are black in color and appear to be complete. Gastropods are characterized by their coiled shells and belong to the phylum Mollusca. These fossils were discovered in rock deposition known as the Dammam Formation, which was formed during the Middle Eocene period, approximately 40 million years ago. The specimens were collected from southwest Qatar.
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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Dammam Formation
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Gallery 1