Abu Dhabi fossils dated to Late Miocene Age

Fossils discovered in Abu Dhabi's Jebel Al Dhana region between 1990 and 1995 have been determined to be five to 23 million years old, putting them in the Late Miocene Age. The fossils were discovered by a team of palaeontologists from London's Natural History Museum during excavations conducted with the support of the Abu Dhabi Co for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO).

After the fossils were analysed in London, ADCO turned them over to the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA) for reference and scientific research. The 1,000 fossils include an elephant's head, a crocodile's jaw, the jaw of an extinct animal similar to the hippopotamus, and horse teeth weathered by sandstone. These teeth belong to the earliest known Arabian horse. They are from an extinct animal called Hipparion about the size of a small pony that had three toes on each foot.

ADCO General Manager Kevin Dunne handed over the fossils to ERWDA Assistant General Manager Majid Al Mansouri at a ceremony. Dunne said, "The company is sponsoring a number of research projects aiming at contributing to the discovery of the rich history of this country and to provide direct benefit for the national and international scientists and researchers studying the palaeontology of the UAE."

Al Mansouri said the fossils would be displayed at ERWDA headquarters for researchers and the public. "The work carried out by palaeontologists in the UAE has shown that the Emirates has the most diverse palaeontological heritage of any country in the Arabian Peninsula, which deserved to be viewed and studied by researchers and scientists," he said.

Nabil Zakhour, head of ERWDA Education and Communications, said special arrangements were being made for the preservation of the fossils. "Before they were taken to the UK for examination, the fossils were given special treatment for their safety," he said. "Extra treatment was given at the Natural History Museum in London.

However, we are making further special arrangements for their safe keeping and handling." Zakhour said ERWDA would devote two special rooms to the fossils. "In one room a selected number of fossils will be contained in special cabinets for public viewing, and another room will be designated for reference and research study for scientists."