|
|
|
Overview
The work so far undertaken by palaeontologists in the United Arab Emirates,
has shown the Emirates to have - for its geographical size - the most
diverse palaeontological heritage of any country in the Arabian Peninsula.
Fossils can be found ranging in time from nearly 300 million years ago
to 8 million years. In addition, modern sedimentological processes such
as the development of sabkha and carbonate environments with their associated
fauna and flora found along the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean coastlines
of the United Arab Emirates are now being re-studied to provide an important
example of a modern environment that, in turn, can be compared with a
similar environment in the geological past. Such studies can be of importance
to future hydrocarbon exploration in the United Arab Emirates.
Palaeontological studies initiated by government organisations in the
United Arab Emirates, namely ADCO and the UAE Ministry for Higher Education
and Scientific Research, now provide important information for international
science and will be of direct benefit for the cultural heritage of the
United Arab Emirates.
|
Home