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Circular stone nodule discovered in Qatar
© Qatar National Museum
Arabia Separates from Africa (Eocene)
Object Name: Stromatolite
Period: Arabia Separates from Africa (Eocene)
Date: 55–30 Million Years Ago
Dimensions: 9.2 cm (H) x 8.6 cm (W) x 7.4 cm (D)
Medium: fossil
Registration Number: QNM.2013.88.95
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The object is called a stromatolite. It is a circular nodule of highly siliceous chert with a surface deposit of a reddish/white carbonate layer. They are formed through carbonate precipitation and sediment binding in successive layers of cyanobacterial matsThe specimen was found in the Rus formation made during Eocene period.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT QATAR
At the beginning of this period, Qatar was covered by shallow tropical waters. Sea turtles, marine crocodiles and dugongs all lived here.
Later, the Qatar peninsula gradually rose above sea level. The climate was much more humid than today, and Qatar was covered by grasslands and rivers. Ancient species of freshwater crocodiles, ostriches, elephants and giraffes walked the land.
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