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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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Amber
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1992-09-02
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fossilized resin from coniferous trees of the
Middle Tertiary period. It is often washed
ashore on the Baltic coast with plant and
animal specimens preserved in it; many
extinct species have been found preserved in
this way. It ranges in color from red to
yellow, and is used to make jewelry.
When amber is rubbed with cloth, it attracts
light objects, such as feathers. The effect,
first noticed by the ancient Greeks, is due
to acquisition of negative electric charge,
hence the adaptation of the Greek word for
amber, elektron, for electricity (see static
electricity).
Amber has been coveted for its supposed
special properties since prehistoric times.
Archeologists have found amulets made of
amber dating back as far as 35000 BC.
Amber's preservative properties were
demonstrated in 1992 when DNA was extracted
from insects estimated to be around 30
million years old which were found fossilized
in amber.