from "Amber: Window to the Past", Abrams/AMNH (NY), courtesy of Dr. David Grimaldi.
Welcome to “Amber: Arboreal Gold”. As you
can see, I really ‘dig’ amber. November of 1998, I was able to travel
to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, where I retrieved a fine collection
of Baltic amber and brought it home. My partner Paul Howell and I
have established a website, the
Amber
Gallery. On this new site, you may view or purchase Baltic amber
specimens. My own web page features Dr. George Poinar of Oregon State
University, and his wife and research partner Roberta. He has given
me permission to publish photographs and excerpts of his book “The Quest
for Life in Amber”, a follow-up to his book “Life in Amber”.
Dr. Poinar released his new book, The Amber Forest in July
of 1999. This book covers the origins of Dominican amber. Most
recently in 2002, he has published his work with Lebanese amber.
These books are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble's site, and probably
in your local university library in the geology and entomology departments.
Dr. David Grimaldi of the American Museum of Natural History in New
York City also granted me permission to showcase his book “Amber: A
Window to the Past.” Grimaldi has a new publication due out in
October of 2000. Both are exceptional scientists and sometimes disagree
on research technique and method. I have a great deal of respect
and admiration for them both. So what is good science without a little
controversy? I enjoy reading and following their work and hope you
will, too.
As I have recently begun a collection of amber
specimens from around the world, I am always looking for a new specimen
or two to add to the ranks, and information on new sites. I have
Miocene from Sarawak, Borneo, and Baltic from Lithuania, Chiapan red from
Mexico, burmite from Burma/Myanmar (awesome Cretaceous stuff!) some
Cretaceous from Jordan, Mississippi and some from New Jersey.
I have one tiny little jellybean piece of Dominican and will probably add
to it later. Any information on as yet unknown sites would
be appreciated. You'd be amazed at some of the places this stuff
can turn up. Friends of mine have found it in lignite beds (young
coal deposits) in road cuts out west! Just e-mail me via the link
provided. I will get back with you with my appreciation, and perhaps can
recommend a person in your area who can validate your find. (I love
email and making new contacts. Can you tell?).
 |
Click |
 |