Fossils of Arabia
A layperson might be surprised to learn that the rocks at outcrop and in the subsurface of the Arabian Peninsula contain palaeontological riches. This should be less surprising to geoscientists who will know that plate tectonics have seen the region migrate through different latitudes resulting in a great variety of depositional settings and background climates. But even a geologist might be amazed by the richness and scientific importance of the fossils to be found. In Fossils of Arabia, Mike Stephenson (palynologist and expert on Middle East Paleozoic geology) corrects these misconceptions.
Alongside providing an introduction to palaeontology and the geological history of Arabia, the book explores several key themes, including Precambrian and Early Paleozoic life, as exemplified by the finding of stromatolites at outcrop (and in oil well cores) and some early marine organic-walled microscopic plankton. A key part of the book explores the spectacular history of changing climates over the last 600 million years or so—the palaeontological consequences of glaciations when Arabia was close to the South Pole at times during the Paleozoic versus the greenhouse climates and faunas of the tropical seas of the Permian and Mesozoic. Another interesting chapter explores the exciting emerging science into early human habitation of Arabia in the Pleistocene when climates were more equable than today. Given the economic importance of the rocks of the Middle East as petroleum systems, there’s also exploration of the applied uses of palaeontology for correlation, “bio-steering” wells, and building better subsurface models.
Given their dominance in the stratigraphic column of Arabia, I would have appreciated reading a little more on the Mesozoic and Cenozoic shallow marine carbonate rocks and their faunas (often best appreciated in thin sections and associated with sedimentary microfacies), but this is a minor quibble concerning an excellent book that will help any interested reader learn more about Arabia’s vital fossil heritage. It is a handsomely illustrated and well-written volume that will appeal to the casual reader and professional scientist alike, striking just the right tone of educating without diving into the scientific minutiae.
Reviewed by Mike Simmons
DETAILS
BY: Mike Stephenson (2026) Medina Publishing Ltd, 208 pp.
ISBN: 9781911487944
PRICE: £35, available from Geoscientist’s bookshop
