The Greeks called amber elektron, or “made by the sun.” Homer praised its bright glow. The Egyptians buried it in tombs for the afterlife. Today’s scientists value amber too: it provides a three-dimensional window into prehistoric ecosystems through the myriad animal and plant inclusions it contains.
The oldest amber dates to the Upper Carboniferous Period (approximately 320 million years ago). 1,000 extinct animal species as well as various types of plant matter have been identified in amber.
Facts:
- Mohs Hardness: 2.0 to 2.5
- Organic, not mineral: Fossilized resin
The Greeks called amber elektron, or “made by the sun.” Homer praised its bright glow. The Egyptians buried it in tombs for the afterlife. Today’s scientists value amber too: it provides a...
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About Amber
The Greeks called amber elektron, or “made by the sun.” Homer praised its bright glow. The Egyptians buried it in tombs for the afterlife. Today’s scientists value amber too: it provides a three-dimensional window into prehistoric ecosystems through the myriad animal and plant inclusions it contains.
The oldest amber dates to the Upper Carboniferous Period (approximately 320 million years ago). 1,000 extinct animal species as well as various types of plant matter have been identified in amber.
Facts:
- Mohs Hardness: 2.0 to 2.5
- Organic, not mineral: Fossilized resin
