ABU DHABI // It is difficult to imagine that the vast desert of the Western Region teemed with elephant, giraffe, greenery and rivers – even if it was 7 million years ago.
Archaeologists and scientists presented fossil records and research at the Baynunah Palaeontology Conference held at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Wednesday, proving the migration of animals from Africa created an ecology that was at one time similar to savannah.
“Like any landscapes, it’s made up of many landscapes,” said Dr Faysal Bibi, co-director of the Baynunah palaeontology project.
“Basically, when you have fresh water, that produces a very different landscape than when you don’t.”
More than 30 years of exploration of the fossil-bearing sediments, known as the Baynunah Formation, have allowed palaeontologists to uncover animal and plant fossils including sabre-toothed tigers, monkeys, hippopotamus and antelope.
After separating from the formation of Pangaea – essentially a super-continent – the Arabian Peninsula moved much closer to the Horn of Africa, where many animals crossed in search of improved living conditions.
Dr Bibi said migrations followed specific geological patterns from Africa to the Arabian Peninsula and carried on to Europe and the Indian subcontinent in some cases.
“As long as the conditions are right, animals will live anywhere that they can, especially big animals,” he said. “As long as they have the kind of water and food they need, then they’ll move there.”
Although animals spent enough time in the region to evolve into variations of species, scientists were able to suggest a migratory path from eastern Africa based on their similarities with the genus endemic to that region.
The Yale-educated Dr Bibi said the animals, whose fossilised remains were found in Baynunah, existed in the region for anytime between 100,000 and a million years.
“We are not only interested in how these animals came to be, but also why they went away, which becomes a very timely topic when you think of what humans are doing to the Earth,” he said.
Dr Bibi, who has been leading expeditions to Abu Dhabi since 2003, said that the extinction of animals was a natural occurrence but that human-induced habitat and species destruction ranked among the most severe.
“Human-induced extinction is on the order of some of the largest extinctions, like meteorites slamming into the Earth or volcanoes erupting causing apocalypse-like scenarios,” he said. “What humans are doing now is going to look equivalent to that.”
Mark J Beech, head of the coastal heritage and palaeontology section for Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, said scientists’ findings should be of more interest to the general public.
“This is something that we must consider natural heritage,” Dr Beech said.
“We want to educate people. There is a lot of information available on the internet but many aren’t aware of it.”
He mentioned that websites set up by various government organisations help amateur archaeologists and developers know where dig sites exist in Abu Dhabi.
One of the websites is the Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi, which describes the geological history of the region and the Abu Dhabi Geospatial Map.
In his talk, Dr Beech presented the progression of archaeological documentation and geospatial indicators comparing today’s technology of three-dimensional imaging and global positioning satellite coordination to the first maps from the 1800s drawn by British naval officers.
“Everyone has been asking me, where can we see these fossils, why is there not a natural-history museum, and we really want to do something about this,” he said.
The next step would be establishing a museum to help present and raise awareness about the importance of the UAE for archaeologists and palaeontologists.
nalwasmi@thenational.ae
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If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
Disclaimer
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Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
China and the UAE agree comprehensive strategic partnership
China and the UAE forged even closer links between the two countries during the landmark state visit after finalising a ten-point agreement on a range of issues, from international affairs to the economy and trade and renewable energy.
1. Politics: The two countries agreed to support each other on issues of security and to work together on regional and international challenges. The nations also confirmed that the number of high-level state visits between China and the UAE will increase.
2. Economy: The UAE offers its full support to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which will combine a land 'economic belt" and a "maritime silk road" that will link China with the Arabian Gulf as well as Southeast, South and Central China, North Africa and, eventually, Europe.
3. Business and innovation: The two nations are committed to exploring new partnerships in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, energy, the aviation and transport industries and have vowed to build economic co-operation through the UAE-China Business Committee.
4. Education, science and technology: The Partnership Programme between Arab countries in Science and Technology will encourage young Emirati scientists to conduct research in China, while the nations will work together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, renewable energy and space projects.
5. Renewable energy and water: The two countries will partner to develop renewable energy schemes and work to reduce climate change. The nations have also reiterated their support for the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency.
6. Oil and gas: The UAE and China will work in partnership in the crude oil trade and the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources.
7. Military and law enforcement and security fields: Joint training will take place between the Chinese and UAE armed forces, while the two nations will step up efforts to combat terrorism and organised crime.
8. Culture and humanitarian issues: Joint cultural projects will be developed and partnerships will be cultivated on the preservation of heritage, contemporary art and tourism.
9. Movement between countries: China and the UAE made clear their intent to encourage travel between the countries through a wide-ranging visa waiver agreement.
10. Implementing the strategic partnership: The Intergovernmental Co-operation Committee, established last year, will be used to ensure the objectives of the partnership are implemented.
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
