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Skeleton of a sea urchin within its preservation matrix
© Qatar National Museum
Arabia Separates from Africa (Eocene)
Object Name: Sea Urchin
Period: Arabia Separates from Africa (Eocene)
Date: 55–30 Million Years Ago
Dimensions: 11.2 cm (H) x 17 cm (W) x 15.5 cm (D)
Medium: fossil
Registration Number: QNM.2013.88.247
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This object is a sea urchin fossil, which is a type of marine invertebrate characterized by its spiny skin and belongs to the phylum Echinoderm. The echinoid is perfectly preserved in a highly siliceous material and remains in its white matrix, providing valuable insights into the morphology and structure of sea urchins.
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.
This item is not available.
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