Columbia 1 million years old Copal—fossilized tree sap, or fossil resin—is a precursor to amber. The distinction between copal and amber forms an issue of contention among experts, however, in general, fossil resin is called copal if it is not older than 2 to 20 million years, but, because of the lack of a scaling system for assessing polymerization rates, the nomenclature of resin, copal and amber is inexact. Adding to the difficulties in classifying Colombian copal and amber are the presence of drug cartels in the area, inhibiting more thorough scientific study that might clarify the age of the geologic formations in which these materials are found. Nevertheless, the collective importance of resin, copal and amber specimens in providing a fossil record of ancient rainforest life is indisputable. Significant copal deposits are found in Colombia, South America in the Santander Province. The present well-preserved specimen originates from the prehistoric rainforest of Columbia. The group consists of a large free-form specimen having an undescribed insect inclusion, weighing approximately 9.0 grams, length 3.5cm; a 2.6 grams oval cabochon with a fly inclusions; a 1.5 grams oval cabochon with a pair of mating wasps; a 1.6 grams oval cabochon with a fly inclusion; a 1.3 grams oval cabochon with a spider inclusion. (5)
Columbia 1 million years old Copal—fossilized tree sap, or fossil resin—is a precursor to amber. The distinction between copal and amber forms an issue of contention among experts, however, in general, fossil resin is called copal if it is not older than 2 to 20 million years, but, because of the lack of a scaling system for assessing polymerization rates, the nomenclature of resin, copal and amber is inexact. Adding to the difficulties in classifying Colombian copal and amber are the presence of drug cartels in the area, inhibiting more thorough scientific study that might clarify the age of the geologic formations in which these materials are found. Nevertheless, the collective importance of resin, copal and amber specimens in providing a fossil record of ancient rainforest life is indisputable. Significant copal deposits are found in Colombia, South America in the Santander Province. The present well-preserved specimen originates from the prehistoric rainforest of Columbia. The group consists of a large free-form specimen having an undescribed insect inclusion, weighing approximately 9.0 grams, length 3.5cm; a 2.6 grams oval cabochon with a fly inclusions; a 1.5 grams oval cabochon with a pair of mating wasps; a 1.6 grams oval cabochon with a fly inclusion; a 1.3 grams oval cabochon with a spider inclusion. (5)
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
