The publication of this first volume on the Quaternary Period in Saudi Arabia marks a
significant milestone in the study of this Kingdom's basic geology. It also represents a major
achievement in international cooperation in scholarship. The study of the Quaternary Period of
Saudi Arabia was first proposed by Austrian scientists and by the officers of the Austrian
Academy of Sciences early in 1972. A meeting was arranged between representatives of that
Academy and of the University of Petroleum and Minerals in Vienna during May and June of that
year and tentative agreement was reached on the details of this cooperative venture. An
exchange of letters 15th June 1972 from the Austrian Academy of Sciences and 21th June 1972
from the Uni versity of Petroleum and Minerals formally recorded the basis of the agree ment
and arranged for the first visit to Saudi Arabia of the initial research team and accompanying
officials from Austria. This team was headed by Professor Dr. JOSEF ZOTL of the Department for
Hydrogeology Technical University of Graz the initial project director. Many scientists
administrators and officials have contributed to the success of this fundamental research
project. Their number is too extensive to mention in this Foreword but the principal
contributors have been listed in the body of this text in conjunction with the specific areas
of investigation in which they participated. The enormous contribution of Professor Dr. ZOTL
however merits exceptional commendation.
