Saudi Arabia discovers 56-million-year marine fossils

By Ibrahim al-Khazen

ISTANBUL (AA) – Saudi geological authorities unearthed ancient marine fossils that date back to some 56 million years.

In a statement, the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) said the fossils were found in limestone rock formations in the Ras Al-Ru'us sedimentary area in northern Saudi Arabia.

The fossils date back to the early Eocene period and include imprints and internal molds of bony fish, which all help understand the prehistoric marine communities of the early Eocene epoch, according to the statement.

This was not the first discovery in the oil-rich kingdom.

In June 2021, SGS said that its geological experts unearthed the remains of an extinct primitive whale, dating back to 37 million years, near the Qurayyat province in the country’s northern region.

The Eocene epoch is a prehistory geological period that lasted between 56 million to 34 million years ago.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar