Tag Archives: 112MillionYearOld

Scientists have uncovered the first South American amber deposits containing preserved insects in a quarry in Ecuador, according to a study published in Communications Earth & Environment. The discovery captures a vivid picture of a 112-million-year-old forest that once thrived on the ancient supercontinent Gondwana and opens new doors for exploring a long-overlooked prehistoric ecosystem. Amber (fossilized tree resin) has …

A groundbreaking discovery of 112-million-year-old insects preserved in amber from Ecuador offers a rare glimpse into Gondwana’s Cretaceous ecosystem. Found in the Hollín Formation, these well-preserved specimens provide valuable insights into Earth’s ancient biodiversity, as detailed in the Communications Earth & Environment journal. The Role of Amber in Preserving Ancient Life Amber, often referred to as “fossilized tree resin,” has …

A beetle in amber sample – Credit: Senior Researcher Enrique Peñalver In the blockbuster 1993 film Jurassic Park, Steven Spielberg’s screenwriters tell the story of scientists who recover dinosaur DNA from a mosquito entombed in amber and use it to clone the animals back into existence. Today, a recent paleontological discovery comes to the very doorstep of that fictional tale, bringing much …