List of types of amber
Worldwide amber deposits of more than 200 archaeological sites from all continents ( except Antarctica ) are known.
Introduction
The number of amber localities is steadily increasing. The following list is therefore supplemented continuously as a function of available sources. However, the collection is in terms of the sites may not be complete, because not all sites are studied scientifically, so therefore the source location is problematic. Moreover, very many sites are sometimes known from a geographical region, of which at least provide some amber same origins. In such cases, only references to any differences in the types of amber, but not listed any locality. For example, in Spain around 120 sites Cretaceous amber known to indicate their geographical distribution and their stratigraphic position that the amber of many of these localities has a matching history.
The age of the amber deposits range from Devonian to the most recent epoch of the Tertiary, the Pliocene. Leg stone deposits are meant as sites of fossil resins of different ages in this context. On the term "amber deposits " was made, as in geology, a mineable deposits is called a deposit, but this is not the case for the vast majority of amber localities. Also, the term amber is used here in a broad interpretation. The in the literature of recent decades increasingly held view that Bernstein only Succinit is to be understood in the narrow sense, is in this consideration geographical occurrence not taken into account.
The number of sites is not synonymous with types of amber. Sometimes, the characteristics of fossil resins of different geographical origin on matches that suggest a common origin of these resins. Some terms are used for amber deposits of different geographical origin due to similarities of their chemical / physical properties. Rumänit example is geographically widely separated regions in Romania (Carpathians), and in Eastern Siberia ( on Sakhalin Island ), however, developed independently from each other under similar conditions and about the same time. Another example is the term Succinit, a name which has in its present use to a particular botanical origin of the fossil resin, which is also often used interchangeably in the literature for amber in general and at the same time serves as a label for Baltic amber. Even though Baltic amber is predominantly Succinit, come to find areas of Baltic Amber and together with him in front of other fossil resins. These include Gedanit, Beckerit, Stantienit, Glessit and Krantzit.
Some names are traditionally characterized. Once awarded - usually by the discoverer of a locality - the name has become common, even if it suggests a distinction from other fossil resins, which can not be hold up to scrutiny. Also, the reverse happens - a previously assigned name will be transferred to new finds, although the fossil resins are significantly different from each other. An example is given Copalin. This term is applied to fossil resins from the Eocene Londonton and two age- different fossil resins which have been found in Austria ( chalk temporal resin from the Rosental and altteriäres resin from near Gablitz bei Wien ), so different on three whole fossil resins. With all these Copal resins, despite the similarity in name to do nothing.
Added to manifold trade names, some of which overlap with the terms listed in the table or similar to, but not necessarily express the same. Such trade names are only mentioned here could occur due to her confusion (see China Bernstein). Quite apart from trade names for amber imitations which are strongly reminiscent of designations for natural fossil resins ( eg Bermit one used in Russia trade name for a generated based on polyester resin amber imitation and has nothing to do with coming from Myanmar natural fossil resin Birmit ).
The above examples are representative of a number of problems, issues and misunderstandings that may arise from the not always clear to each other identifiable names of fossil resins.
List
The following tabular list is intended to give an overview of as many amber sites worldwide. Synonym names used are taken into account, the use of which more recent literature is known.
(Age in million years )
( Succinit )
( Succinit, Goitschit, Durglessit, Bitterfeldit, Pseudostantienit, Glessit, Gedanit, Siegburgit, Scheibit )
( Schlierseerit )
( Succinit )
( Succinit, Delatynit )
( Simetit )
In terms of age, the values are highly variable ( 1 million to J.> 25 million). The Simetit very similar fossil resins have been found in the Apennines.
(including Rosthornit, Hartit, Köflachit, Kochenit, Jaulingit, Copalin, Golling - Bernstein)
Upper Miocene ( 8)
A) Santander ( Cantabria )
B ) Penacerrade - Moraza (Alava - Bernstein)
C ) numerous localities; inter alia, Teruel
D) in Alicante
A) Lower Cretaceous ( Albian ) ( 110)
B), c ) Chalk
D ) Upper Triassic
A) Inklusenreicher, bluish amber.
( Walchowit )
( Rumänit, Schraufit, Muntenit, Telegdit, Almaschit, Moldovit )
( Copalit ( Copalin ); Wealden amber )
(also Burma - Bernstein, Bernstein Burma, burmite )
(also Fushun amber )
Chinese, Mongolian and Manchurian Bernstein are trade names.
(also Sarawak Bernstein)
Younger, very rich finds in the state of Sabah (North-East of Borneo ) have not been thoroughly investigated. It is possible that these fossil resins of the same genesis are like the amber from Sarawak
( inter alia Kuji amber, Choshi - Bernstein)
( Arctic Bernstein)
( Chemawinit, Cedarit )
( Chiapas amber )
( Guayaquilit )
In various not listed here, and often referred to as " amber " ( sometimes extensive ) finds some coasts of Africa is copal.
(* ) Sources essentially: Poinar 1992 Krumbiegel 1994 Pure King of Bock in 1981, as well as individual contributions in several recent publications. Apart from the listed types of amber and deposits are further, quantitatively most insignificant individual finds from various regions of the world known ( including Greece, Bulgaria, England, Croatia, Greenland, Brazil, Chile, Madagascar, India).
(** ) Divided by continents. Within the continent without systematics Names that have become established as proper names (such as Baltic amber, Succinit ) are shown in italics. Otherwise, there is geographical specifications that are not (yet) used as a name for that Bernstein (eg, Bernstein from Switzerland ). The Amber names often identify only one or some of several types of amber, which are known from the named region.
See also
- Amber