Dammam Formation: Saudi fossil find unearths secrets millions of years in the making

The Saudi Geological Survey is working with several authorities in the Kingdom to develop the Khurais site into a natural paleontological reserve since it contains many extinct species that are part of the country’s geological heritage. (Shutterstock)
The Saudi Geological Survey is working with several authorities in the Kingdom to develop the Khurais site into a natural paleontological reserve since it contains many extinct species that are part of the country’s geological heritage. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 28 February 2023

Dammam Formation: Saudi fossil find unearths secrets millions of years in the making

Dammam Formation: Saudi fossil find unearths secrets millions of years in the making
  • A trail of shark teeth and other surprises from millions of years ago

JEDDAH: The Khurais desert lies halfway between Hufof and Riyadh. Beds of solid sedimentary rock from the Eocene epoch and earlier eras dip gently toward the east. These beds are well exposed for two main reasons — lack of vegetation and extreme wind erosion — and the fossils and geographical gems found here tell the secrets of millions of years ago.

Arab News had a deep dive interview with Iyad Zalmout, the technical adviser of the Geology and Paleontology Survey and Exploration Center at the Saudi Geological Survey. For the survey’s program on the Khurais area, the desert is dubbed “Shark Teeth Trail” due to the shark teeth, shells and bones of sea creatures found on its surface.

The fossils indicate that the Khurais area, scientifically known as the “Dammam Formation,” was immersed in water a long time ago.




The Dammam Formation is loaded with the fossilized remains of marine creatures that tell the story of a different time. (Supplied)

Environmentally and geologically speaking, Zalmout said that by looking at the fossils of the Dammam Formation “we may be able to assemble an image of the depositional environment and marine ecology of the Tethyan Sea in Saudi Arabia 45 million years ago.”

He said: “The main rock unit in question here is called the Dammam Formation, and it was deposited and formed 46 million years ago during the dominance of the Tethyan Sea, a stage of the geological time called Lutetian or part of the Middle Eocene.  

Only one scientific note was published on the fauna and flora of the Eocene Dammam Formation ... we are hoping that more can be done in terms of research and conservation on the site.

Iyad Zalmout, Paleontology technical adviser, Saudi Geological Survey

“The sediments of this formation are very well exposed in shallow depressions, domes, also along small hills and buttes.”

Since the Eocene era, the whole region east of the Arabian Shield has undergone many changes through erosion, deposition, deformation, uplifting, subsidence and rise and fall of sea level. All of that has contributed to changes in the climate and surrounding environments and landscape.

For example, during the Middle Eocene, shallow warm marine waters covered most of the eastern and northern region in the Arabian Peninsula, resulting in the deposit of carbonate rocks: 30 million years later during the Middle Miocene the same area experienced erosion due to rivers, lakes and deltas that were present in some places. The area has now transformed into a desert due to the influence of sand migration and arid climate for the past 20,000 years.




The Dammam Formation is loaded with the fossilized remains of marine creatures that tell the story of a different time. (Supplied)

Dammam Formation

The Dammam Formation is a sedimentary region that is made up of carbonate rocks, shales and marl that were deposited during a highstand sea level when most of the Arabian landmass was part of East Africa before the rifting of the Red Sea.

The formation is mostly restricted to the eastern side of the Arabian Peninsula on the surface and in the subsurface. It is exposed in Saudi Arabia in Khurais, Dammam, Alkhobar and under the aeolian deposits on the eastern side of the Empty Quarter. It is also visible in Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the UAE.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Khurais desert lies halfway between Hofuf and Riyadh. The desert is dubbed ‘Shark Teeth Trail’ due to the shark teeth, shells and bones of sea creatures found on its surface. The fossils indicate that the Khurais area, scientifically known as the ‘Dammam Formation,’ was immersed in water a long time ago.

• According to Iyad Zalmout of the Saudi Geological Survey, the area could be described as a shallow marine environment that was connected to several oceanic pathways and full of apex marine predators such as sharks that fed on bony fishes and rays.

Zalmout explained the significance of the Dammam Formation: “Everything in the Dammam Formation is interesting — its fossil contents, its diversity and paleobiogeographic significance, the color of the rocks, geomorphology and landscape of the Eocene beds exposed in the form of cliffs and hills. The fossils themselves can tell us a lot about the age, the palaeobiological diversity, the paleobiogeography, and to some extent the climate and temperature of the Tethyan Ocean in this part of the world 45 million years ago.”




The Dammam Formation is loaded with the fossilized remains of marine creatures that tell the story of a different time. (Supplied)

He said that the area could be described as a shallow marine environment that was connected to several oceanic pathways and full of apex marine predators such as sharks that fed on bony fishes and rays. These fed on molluscs and smaller organisms hidden in the mud and slimy sediments, which were bottom-feeders that ate plants and their roots, algae and plankton.

A trail of shark teeth

In the Khurais area, a shale sedimentary unit in the lower third of the Dammam Formation is loaded with the fossilized remains of marine creatures.

Zalmout said that the fossils mainly include the teeth of sharks, rays, bony fishes, snails and bivalves, solitary corals, and more.

He explained, “In the Middle Eocene fossils, the teeth of sharks and rays or chondrichthyes fishes are abundant and diverse. The dentitions of some genera can be recognized in the field directly if you are a fossil shark and rays specialist.




Shark teeth and bones of sea creatures can be found at the Dammam Formation. (Supplied)

“We found Lamniformes sharks that feature long-bladed toothed sharks such as Isurus, Cretolamna, Odontaspis and Charcharis, and Carcharhiniformes sharks or ground sharks such as Galeocerdo and Carcharhinus that are the most abundant. They resemble the dentitions of the mako shark, sand shark, tiger shark and requiem shark.”

According to Zalmout, ray fishes were also present in the Khurais site but less abundantly than sharks. The ray fish fossils found included some that are similar to knifetooth sawfish, narrow-tooth sawfish, along with the teeth of eagle ray fishes.

On the diversity of fossils, he said: “Bony fishes are the least diverse and least abundant group of marine fishes and are represented by a species of an extinct barracuda, a lancetfish known as saber-toothed herring, billfish, and one species that resembled in appearance the butterflyfishes.”

Khurais oil field

Despite the fact that the Khurais area includes an oil field with an area of 2,890 sq. km, these fossils have nothing to do with the oil and gas formation and maturation of the Khurais oil field.




The Dammam Formation is loaded with the fossilized remains of marine creatures that tell the story of a different time. (Supplied)

Zalmout explained the presence of oil in the region: “Geologically speaking, oil and gas in Khurais are produced from a reservoir rock type called the Jurassic Arab-D reservoir. Several steps should have taken place before the oil gets stored in this rock unit, including that sediments with high contents of organic material from an older formation called the Jurassic Hanifa Formation are cooked and ripened through the process of maturation under certain temperatures and pressure. This takes place over millions of years.

The mature and ripe oil seeps from the source rock into a more porous and permeable rock called the “Arab-D reservoir.”

Scientific recognition

There are several locations being studied in the Kingdom with the emphasis on fossils and their environmental indications. Currently, the geological survey’s paleontology projects are working in areas where fossil sites date back to the Cretaceous and Paleogene ages with abundant marine vertebrate remains.

The survey is working with several agencies and authorities in the Kingdom to develop the Khurais site into a natural paleontological reserve since it contains many extinct species of fauna and flora that are part of the geological heritage of the country. According to Zalmout, several visits to the area have been made by the survey’s teams to study the Eocene rocks.

He expressed hope that the area would receive more scientific recognition.

“The Khurais fossil site got the attention of travelers, campers and outdoor lovers because it is very close to the main access road connecting the capital Riyadh to Dammam and Hufof. However, only one scientific note was published on the fauna and flora of the Eocene Dammam Formation from Khurais back in the 70s of the last century. We are hoping that more can be done in terms of research and conservation on the site.”

 


Ramadan meet, greet initiative launched for Makkah pilgrims, umrah visitors

Ramadan meet, greet initiative launched for Makkah pilgrims, umrah visitors
Updated 14 sec ago

Ramadan meet, greet initiative launched for Makkah pilgrims, umrah visitors

Ramadan meet, greet initiative launched for Makkah pilgrims, umrah visitors
  • Greeting points will be set up at the Haramain train station and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah
  • Nada Al-Malki: The pilgrims are warmly welcomed at the designated train station, and a set of gifts are presented to help them perform their rituals with ease

RIYADH: The Grand Mosque in Makkah has launched a welcome initiative for pilgrims and umrah visitors arriving in Saudi Arabia.

The scheme has been initiated by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques represented by its media affairs, public relations, and women’s exhibitions agency.

Greeting points will be set up at the Haramain train station and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

Agency official Nada Al-Malki said: “The pilgrims are warmly welcomed at the designated train station, and a set of gifts are presented to help them perform their rituals with ease.”

The initiative was started last year at the railway station with senior management greeting pilgrims and distributing information on digital services, and gift packages including a prayer rug, umbrella, and Zamzam water.

On Sunday, the presidency, represented by the agency responsible for libraries and cultural affairs, launched its Ramadan program in the Grand Mosque library which will include scientific and cultural meetings and seminars.

The first evening session looked at various aspects of the life of the Prophet Muhammad.


Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers to meet during Ramadan

Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers to meet during Ramadan
Updated 27 March 2023

Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers to meet during Ramadan

Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers to meet during Ramadan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, have agreed to meet during the month of Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported early Monday.

The diplomats also discussed in a phone call a number of issues amid the trilateral agreement signed in China.

The Kingdom and Iran agreed on March 10 to re-establish diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies within two months following years of tensions.

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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed bilateral relations and cooperation, the Saudi Press Agency reported early Monday.

During a phone call, the officials also reviewed efforts towards regional and international developments to enhance security and stability.


Saudi Arabia’s traditional souqs exude Ramadan vibes

Saudi Arabia’s traditional souqs exude Ramadan vibes
Updated 27 March 2023

Saudi Arabia’s traditional souqs exude Ramadan vibes

Saudi Arabia’s traditional souqs exude Ramadan vibes
  • Bustling with tourists and residents, souqs are the beating heart of Saudi cities

RIYADH: Souqs are the best place to buy Ramadan essentials — food, decoration or fashion — and to experience the hustle and bustle of the holy month.

Souq, meaning market in Arabic, is a modern shopping destination but with an old-world charm.

May AlSheikh, reservoir geoscientist at Aramco, spoke with Arab News to explain the importance of souqs in the Middle Eastern culture.

AlUla’s Old Town is a serene marketplace with a beautiful view of mountains. (Supplied)

“Souqs are historical shopping and trading scenes that have been around for thousands of years. I strongly believe they remain an essential component for preserving culture and identity in Saudi Arabia, on the local scale, and the Middle East region as a whole,” Alsheikh said.  

Alsheikh believes the souq is a place where tourists can indulge in culture and get a taste of tradition.  

“I work in a company that is a cultural melting pot with people coming from all walks of life, and I always recommend my expatriate colleagues to visit souqs — they love it! It’s a great tourist attraction and a pleasant activity, where they enjoy the traditional ambiance while purchasing traditional goods and foods,” she said.

AlKhobar’s Al-Swekit Souq

One of the oldest souqs in the Eastern Province, Al-Swekit Souq, is a hub for affordable gold jewelry and abayas.  

AlUla’s Old Town is a serene marketplace with a beautiful view of mountains. (Supplied)

AlSheikh visits the Al-Swekit Souq during the month of Ramadan to buy all sorts of things for herself and the family.   

Souqs are historical shopping and trading scenes that have been around for thousands of years ... they remain an essential component for preserving culture and identity in Saudi Arabia, on the local scale, and the Middle East region as a whole.

May AlSheikh, Reservoir geoscientist at Aramco

“Shopping in Swekit market is fun, especially around this time of the year with the holy month of Ramadhan fast-approaching. The shops in Swekit usually sell a variety of traditional merchandise and local produce. I personally love buying abayas, spices and customary festive attire for myself and the kids,” she said.  

Jeddah’s Al-Balad Souqs

Al-Balad is Jeddah’s oldest neighborhood, founded in 7th century AD, and is home to a plethora of some of the oldest traditional markets: Souq Al-Badu‎, Souq Qabil, Souq Alawi, Souq Nada, Souq Al-Khaskeya, Souq Bab Makkah and Souq Bab Shareef.

The souqs have a variety of shops to explore, selling gold, textiles, honey, spices and much more. Some of these markets have been around for decades and hold a special place in the hearts of locals.  

AlUla’s Old Town is a serene marketplace with a beautiful view of mountains. (Supplied)

“It is a lively, enjoyable, and unpretentious social activity where you see people from different backgrounds and economic classes shop and interact together. And, quite frankly, that’s the beauty of it! It breaks social norms, shrinks the social and economic classes’ gap, and promotes a healthy, inclusive society. In addition to that, souqs give thrive to small-scale businesses which feed into the overall economic growth,” AlSheikh said.  

Just make sure to put your bargaining hats on to show off some negotiation skills.

AlUla’s Old Town Souq

Julian Ryall, Japan correspondent for The Daily Telegraph, visited The Old Town Souq in AlUla, where community locals set up clothing shops, fruit stands, pottery and crafts, and cafes amid a beautiful view of the mountains.

“Any foreign visitor who comes to Saudi Arabia is going to want to visit a souq. It has to be one of the most important elements of a trip, as important as drinking tea on a trip to England,” Ryall said.

He added: “I loved the hustle and bustle of market, of the stall-holders calling out to passers-by, of being encouraged to haggle on prices and just the items that were available,” Ryall said.

“The local gold shop was the perfect place. I was embarrassingly bad at haggling so the owner took pity on me and gave me a discount anyway. I think I’ll tell my wife I did haggle the price down when I give her the earrings.”  

Riyadh’s Almaigliah Souq

Established in 1986, Almaigliah Souq is the first wholesales traditional market in Riyadh located next to Al-Masmak Fort.  

The complex consists of four buildings, each specializing in a genre of shopping: gold, women’s clothing, men’s apparel, and perfume.  

Almaigliah is best known for their great deals on the best Arabian ouds perfume, spices and women’s abayas.

For almost three decades, this souq has attracted tourists from all over the world and continues to be a retail destination for locals.  

 


Who’s Who: Abdulrahman K Justaniah, first Saudi partner at global strategy consulting firm Kearney

Abdulrahman K Justaniah
Abdulrahman K Justaniah
Updated 27 March 2023

Who’s Who: Abdulrahman K Justaniah, first Saudi partner at global strategy consulting firm Kearney

Abdulrahman K Justaniah

Abdulrahman K Justaniah is the first Saudi to become a partner at the elite global strategy consulting firm Kearney.

Justaniah joined in January 2022 while being part of the strategic operations practice and supporting the firm’s growth in the region. He has been part of many of the transformational projects in the Kingdom supporting clients as a trusted adviser.

Previously he had several public and private sector leadership roles. The most recent was vice-president of strategy and excellence at the Expenditure and Project Efficiency Authority in 2021.

The authority was established in 2017 to support Saudi Arabia’s efficiency, project execution, operations and maintenance for all spending through the public budget.

He joined the authority as the fifth employee during the startup and served in multiple leadership roles.

Before his vice-presidency role, he held the same position for strategy and shared services from 2020 to 2021, and was executive director of strategy and organizational excellence from 2019 to 2020.

He also worked as executive director of the strategic procurement unit from 2017-2019 and led the establishment of the strategic procurement unit to increase government efficiency, and led the organizational design, developed processes, and set up governance with more than 450 government entities across the Kingdom.

Before that Justaniah worked with Procter & Gamble as manufacturing director in Dammam from 2015 to 2017 and led part of Dammam’s manufacturing operations.

He has also worked with P&G as regional supply chain director/IMEA demand planning leader in Cairo, transition and startup director, market planning senior manager, project manager and supply planning manager.

Justaniah obtained a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran. He also completed leadership courses, pathways to leadership process, GROW Coaching, situational leadership and emerging leaders.