The world's oldest amber, dating back 385 million years, has been discovered in China
In China, paleontologists have discovered the oldest piece of amber known to date. The find is approximately 385 million years old, which is about 65 million years older than previously confirmed specimens.
In total, scientists found 241 microscopic fragments of amber in a coal deposit of the Huqiersi Formation. Due to their extremely small size—ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 mm—they could only be detected under ultraviolet light.
Researchers believe the discovery indicates that ancient seedless plants began producing complex resin long before the appearance of dinosaurs and seed plants. This challenges previous understandings of plant evolution.
According to study leader Ji-han Lu of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the resin may have served a protective function, specifically shielding plants from fires, fungal diseases, and other threats.
Scientists also do not rule out the possibility that even older amber specimens may exist but have gone unnoticed until now due to their microscopic size.
Source: Tech.
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