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Fossil of a marine gastropod discovered in Qatar
© Qatar National Museum
Arabia Separates from Africa (Eocene)
Object Name: Marine Gastropod
Period: Arabia Separates from Africa (Eocene)
Date: 55–30 Million Years Ago
Dimensions: 5.4 cm (H) x 7.2 cm (W) x 13.3 cm (D) 464.4 g (Wt)
Medium: fossil
Registration Number: QNM.2013.88.56
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The object is a fossil gastropod that is embedded in sediment from the Middle Eocene epoch, which was about 40 million years ago.
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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