Photo: Inclusion with a fossil cockroach found at the Kaliningrad Amber Combine. © Rostec.
A remarkable discovery has been made at the Kaliningrad Amber Combine, which is part of the Rostec state corporation. Workers have unearthed a piece of amber estimated to be 35-40 million years old, containing a perfectly preserved ancient cockroach.
According to the combine`s press service, the find, known as an `inclusion,` holds a fully intact fossilized insect. Experts have assessed the age of this ancient specimen to be between 35 and 40 million years. This unique sample is set to be one of the central attractions and lots at a special auction for rare amber, scheduled to take place on August 2nd during the VIII International Amber Forum.
The inclusion was discovered during the process of manual sorting and weighs a mere seven grams. The insect, identified as belonging to the order Blattodea (cockroaches), was sealed within a piece of honey-colored amber measuring 41 by 21 millimeters. The cockroach is visible close to the surface of the ancient resin, allowing for a detailed examination of its features, including its wings, legs, and head.
Anna Dugina, a gemmologist at the Kaliningrad Amber Combine who studied the specimen, commented on its significance, calling it a «very curious example of amber.» She added that it is among the largest cockroach-like creatures found at the combine in the last five years, and its age is confirmed to be at least 35-40 million years.
Millions of years ago, under warm, humid climates and frequent forest fires, the resin of ancient trees remained liquid, serving as a natural trap for various organisms. Insects could be blown in by the wind, attracted by the resin`s shiny surface, or simply caught by a falling drop. Once stuck, they were quickly covered by subsequent layers of resin, ensuring their remarkable preservation over geological timescales. On average, inclusions containing organic matter make up only 7-9% of the total volume of amber extracted.
The Kaliningrad Amber Combine is the sole industrial enterprise in Russia dedicated to amber and is recognized as the world`s largest full-cycle operation. It manages the entire process, from mining raw amber at the Primorsky quarry – home to approximately 90% of the world`s amber reserves – to creating finished jewelry and souvenir items.
