Correlation of the Marsawdad Formation, Oman, Late Miocene (Turolian-Ventian), based on fossil avian eggshells

The discovery of fossilised struthious eggshell fragments on outcrops of the Marsawdad Formation, Rub' Al-Khali, Oman, permits estimation of the age of the deposits, indicating correlation to the Late Miocene (Turolian-Ventian: Tortonian-Messinian) ca 8-7 Ma. The eggshells are described and are located within a revised biostratigraphy of the Cenozoic terrestrial deposits of the Arabian Peninsula.

Automated summary

The discovery of fossilized struthious eggshell fragments in Oman provides insights into the age of the deposits, indicating they date back to the Late Miocene, around 8-7 million years ago. The study also revises the biostratigraphy of Cenozoic terrestrial deposits on the Arabian Peninsula.