Burmite amber
Burmite amber is a fossilized tree resin originating from the Hukawng Valley in Myanmar. Dating back approximately 105 million years to the Cretaceous period, it offers a remarkable window into the prehistoric world.
Burmite amber is renowned for its exceptional preservation of ancient lifeforms, known as inclusions. These inclusions offer a fascinating glimpse into the prehistoric world. Encased within the amber are a diverse array of organisms, including insects, spiders, plants, and even feathers from dinosaurs. The delicate details of these ancient creatures are often preserved in remarkable clarity, allowing scientists to study their anatomy, behaviour, and ecological interactions with unprecedented precision. From the intricate wings of a prehistoric butterfly to the delicate hairs of a tiny spider, the inclusions found in burmite amber provide a unique and invaluable window into the past.
Did you know?
An intriguing fact about dinosaur feathers found in burmite amber is the presence of melanosomes. These microscopic organelles within the feathers are responsible for pigmentation, and their preservation in amber has allowed scientists to determine the original colors of dinosaur feathers. By studying the arrangement and type of melanosomes, researchers have been able to reconstruct the plumage patterns of various dinosaur species, revealing that some dinosaurs may have been brightly colored or even iridescent. This discovery has challenged previous assumptions about dinosaur appearance and behavior, suggesting that they may have been more visually diverse and complex than previously thought.