Amber Around the World

  • By Peter Tyson
  • Posted 02.14.06
  • NOVA

Found from the Arctic to the tropics, from Mexico to Myanmar to the Middle East, amber that contains remains of ancient plants and animals is cosmopolitan. On our interactive map, sample major sources of fossil-bearing amber and learn about their age, distribution, and other interesting facts that set them apart from one another.

Launch Interactive

From the Arctic to the tropics, from Mexico to Myanmar—see the richest sources of fossil amber on Earth.

This feature originally appeared on the site for the NOVA program Jewel of the Earth.

Sources

The source for this feature was Life in Amber, by George O. Poinar, Jr. (Stanford University Press, 1992), with updates by Dr. Poinar. Note that all ages and number of recorded fossil-bearing pieces are approximate. The number of recorded pieces containing fossils is particularly hard to estimate, as they are continually being unearthed and yet not all pieces are described.

Credits

(map)
© NOVA/WGBH Educational Foundation

Related Links

  • Trapped in Amber

    In this audio slide show, George Poinar guides you through a gallery of fossil plants and animals.

  • Amber Time Machine

    Trace a bee's journey from its brief life 15 to 20 million years ago down through the ages within fossil resin.

  • Bitten By the Bug

    What lies behind fossil-bearing amber's fascination? Hear from one newly minted aficionado.

Close

You need the Flash Player plug-in to view this content.