Amber Samples Research Articles

Thermal analysis of Cretaceous ambers from southern France

Thermal properties of French Cretaceous ambers were investigated and compared with other ambers from various sites of the world. The amber samples came from 10 different localities in southern France, in the Charentes, Languedoc, and Provence regions, ranging from Late Albian to Santonian in age. Thermogravimetric (TG) and Differential Thermogravimetric (DTG) profiles were obtained at heating rate of 10 K/min in air, starting from room temperature (20°C) and reaching a maximum temperature of 700°C. Elemental Analysis for total Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Sulphur was also carried out. The TG combustion profile of the resins started after 200°C and complete combustion took place near 600°C. The DTG behaviour is characterized by a main exothermal peak situated between 394 and 420°C, accompanied by minor peaks and shoulders. The increasing value of the main exothermal peak correlates well to the increase of the age of the specimens, with a significant correlation coefficient (r = 0.7721, p = 0.0089). A significant correlation (r = 0.6728, p = 0.0004) is also found with other samples of different age and origin. By considering the whole pattern of DTG peaks, a possible fingerprinting model of the French ambers is evaluated by multivariate analysis. Cluster Analysis and Principal Component Analysis show the presence of several clusters, according to the geological age and possibly to the palaeobotanical origin. The elemental analysis is consistent with that of other Cretaceous samples from different sites of the world. Carbon and hydrogen are the main constituents (range 73–80% and 9.5–11.5% respectively). Sulphur is detected in small amounts (0.8–2.4%). Nitrogen is absent or appears as traces only (0–0.008%). Oxygen and other elements range from 4.6 to 16.8%. No successful clustering was possible according to the elemental composition. Thermal analysis, completed with multivariate statistics, is a useful source of information also for French ambers, as a help for identification of the age, diagenetic processes and palaeobotanical origin.

Contamination of Amber Samples by Recent Microorganisms and Remediation Evidenced by Mid-Cretaceous Amber of France

One of the best ways to obtain data about the ecology of past forests is to study amber fossils. Meso- and macroinclusions in amber have been intensively studied for a long time, however microinclusions have been largely neglected despite their high potential of fossilization in amber. Because of their abundance in recent forest ecosystems, many microorganisms are prone to be trapped in tree resin and thus fossilized in amber. According to their tiny size, from a statistical point of view we should find more microfossils in amber than arthropods. From this observation, investigations of microorganisms in the mid-Cretaceous amber of SW France have been performed. Studies of this material since 1999 already allowed the discovery of a rich arthropod fauna. From first investigations rich microfauna and microflora were also found: they were mainly composed of cyanobacteria and actinomycetes but also included green algae, protists, nematodes. The most spectacular was the discovery of a rich diatom flora composed of both freshwater and marine taxa. More detailed studies of these inclusions revealed that a nonquantifiable part of these microorganisms was only contaminants and biased our estimation of the microcoenosis of mid-Cretaceous amber forests of SW France. This paper details the different types of amber contamination by modern microorganisms (particularly modern diatoms) highlighted during the study. A simple and accessible decontamination protocol, inexpensive enough to be used routinely in the laboratory, has been developed accordingly. This protocol comprises three main steps: (1) ultrasonic cleaning, (2) oxidation by H 2 O 2 to eliminate organic contaminants, and (3) HF acid attack to dissolve inorganic contaminants such as siliceous skeletons. SEM observations controlled for the efficiency of our protocol. The contamination of samples is one of the most important sources of error in science, particularly in microbiology and paleomicrobiology. Mid-Cretaceous ambers found in Charentes (SW France), due to their outcropping conditions, are excellent tools for the investigation of such phenomenon of sample contamination and showed how this problem could bias paleoecological interpretation from erroneous amber preserved microcoenosis. We suggest that this protocol should be applied as a preliminary step when studying microorganisms embedded in amber to avoid erroneous scientific results.

Mass spectrometry in the characterization of ambers. II. Free succinic acid in fossil resins of different origin

Baltic amber contains high levels of succinic acid, most of which is part of the polymer framework, and only recently has the presence of microcrystals of free succinic acid been documented by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The determination of succinic acid can be used for an easy identification of Baltic amber among other fossil resins and to distinguish it from imitations, widely diffused on the market, produced with natural or modified recent or sub-fossil resins, such as copals. We report here a simple method, based on negative ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, for evaluating the free succinic acid content in water/methanol extracts of ambers from different origin, using a sample of about 20 mg. The limit of quantification is better than 1 ppm and, when applied to a set of amber samples of different origin, it was able to distinguish those of Baltic origin (showing free succinic acid levels in the range 50-400 ppm) from the others (for which succinic acid was undetectable, i.e. at levels lower than 1 ppm).

Composição molecular e origem paleobotânica de âmbares da bacia do Araripe, Formação Santana

The terpenoid composition of seven amber samples from Araripe Basin (Santana Formation, Crato Member) has been analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine their botanical origin. The diterpenoids, which have been identified in the fossil resin extracts are derived primarily from the abietane class, e.g., dehydroabietane, 4-epidehydroabietol, 16,17,18-trisnorabieta-8,11,13-triene, 7-oxo-16,17,19-trisnorabieta-8,11,13-trieno, dehydroabietic acid, ferruginol, hinokiol and hinokione. Their composition is certainly typical for conifers, and angiosperms can be excluded as the botanical source, as no triterpene was identified. The terpenoid characteristics strongly support a relationship to the Araucariaceae or Podocarpaceae families. In addition, the fossil record of the embedding sediments (pollen and fossil leaves) also supports the proposal of these paleobotanical origins for the ambers.

Stable Isotopes (H, C, S) and the Origin of Baltic Amber

Stable Isotopes (H, C, S) and the Origin of Baltic Amber New results of isotope analysis of light elements (H, C and S) of a dozen Baltic amber samples are described and discussed. Carbon isotope composition was nearly constant (ca. -23‰), whereas sulphur and hydrogen varied in their isotope compositions from +4 to -28‰ and from -171 to -213‰, respectively. The formation and subsequent evolution of this material since its origin in Paleogene time until present is outlined.

Evidence for marine microfossils from amber

Amber usually contains inclusions of terrestrial and rarely limnetic organisms that were embedded in the places were they lived in the amber forests. Therefore, it has been supposed that amber could not have preserved marine organisms. Here, we report the discovery amber-preserved marine microfossils. Diverse marine diatoms as well as radiolarians, sponge spicules, a foraminifer, and a spine of a larval echinoderm were found in Late Albian and Early Cenomanian amber samples of southwestern France. The highly fossiliferous resin samples solidified approximately 100 million years ago on the floor of coastal mixed forests dominated by conifers. The amber forests of southwestern France grew directly along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and were influenced by the nearby sea: shells and remnants of marine organisms were probably introduced by wind, spray, or high tide from the beach or the sea onto the resin flows.

A new amber deposit from the Cretaceous (uppermost Albian-lowermost Cenomanian) of southwestern France

A Cretaceous amber deposit has recently been discovered in a quarry of Charente-Maritime (southwestern France), at Cadeuil. This paper presents the sedimentary and palaeoenvironmental settings of the uppermost Albian-lowermost Cenomanian series including the amber deposit. A preliminary analysis of the amber samples reveals diverse fossil arthropods (a few mites and at least 20 insect families within 9 orders), as well as numerous micro-organisms, mainly algae and mycelia. A myceloid colony of bacteria, a flagellate algae and four especially well preserved insects are illustrated (Diptera Dolichopodidae, Diptera Chironomidae, Hymenoptera Parasitica, and Heteroptera Tingidae). The abundance of the limnic micro-organisms is discussed in terms of bloom events. Their relative scarcity in almost all the amber pieces containing fossil arthropods is attributed to differences in the origin of resin: production along trunk and branches for amber with arthropods; production by aquatic roots for amber rich in algae. The absence of pollen and spores in amber is attributed to differences in the respective periods of resin and palynomorph production, which may be related to a seasonal climate during the Albian-Cenomanian transition in Western Europe.

Mass spectrometry in the characterization of ambers. I. Studies of amber samples of different origin and ages by laser desorption ionization, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry

Amber is a fossil resin constituted of organic polymers derived through complex maturation processes of the original plant resin. A classification of eight samples of amber of different geological age (Miocene to Triassic) and geographical origin is here proposed using direct mass spectrometric techniques, i.e. laser desorption ionization (LDI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), in order to obtain a fingerprint related to the amber origin. Differences and similarities were detected among the spectra with the four methods, showing quite complex spectra, full of ionic species in the mass range investigated (up to m/z 2000). The evaluation required statistical analysis involving multivariate techniques. Cluster analysis or principal component analysis (PCA) generally did not show a clear clustering with respect to the age of samples, except for the APPI method, which allowed a satisfying clustering. Using the total ion current (TIC) obtained by the different analytical approaches on equal quantities of the different amber samples and plotted against the age, the only significant correlation appeared to be that involving APPI. To validate the method, four amber samples from Cretaceous of Spain were analyzed. Also in this case a significant correlation with age was found only with APPI data. PCA obtained with TIC values from all the MS methods showed a fair grouping of samples, according to their age. Three main clusters could be detected, belonging to younger, intermediate and older fossil resins, respectively. This MS analysis on crude amber, either solid or extract, followed by appropriate multivariate statistical evaluation, can provide useful information on amber age. The best results are those obtained by APPI, indicating that the quantity of amber soluble components that can be photoionized decreases with increasing age, in agreement with the formation of highly stable, insoluble polymers.

Thermal investigations of amber and copal

Stimulated by the “Amber ISBC” in Gdansk/Poland, 15 amber samples (Baltic area, Germany, Africa, Meso- and South America) and 3 copal samples (Africa, Meso- and South America) were investigated by thermal analysis (DTA, TG, DTG, combined with mass spectrometry) as well as pyrolysis-gas chromatography. IR false colour thermography was added to study the burning behaviour of the samples. Characteristic compounds like abietic acid, succinic acid, several terpenes or sesquiterpenes and related compounds were detected for amber and copal and compared in the sense of fingerprinting. One sample of incense was included in the investigations because amber was used as a kind of incense along the Baltic Coast through many centuries.

Raman and ATR‐FTIR spectroscopies applied to the conservation of archaeological Baltic amber

AbstractA recent survey suggested that the National Museum of Denmark had more than 17 000 pieces of amber in its collections. It also concluded that 45% of the amber in the collections exhibit deterioration, manifested by surface crazing, powdering and discolouration. Although the chemical composition of Baltic amber has been investigated, and it is known to comprise an alkyd polymer containing 8% succinic acids and terpenoid components, degradation pathways have not been defined. It is important that the amber collections are preserved for future study and enjoyment, and a preventive conservation strategy is under development. Such an approach involves controlling the environment in which the objects are stored to slow the rate of deterioration. Experience at the Natural History Museum, London, suggested that the rate of degradation was related to relative humidity (RH) of the storage environment. In this study, Raman and attenuated total reflection‐Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopies were used to quantify and compare the extent of deterioration of amber after thermal ageing at various levels of RH. ATR‐FTIR spectra provided information about surfaces, because the electromagnetic radiation penetrated only the upper few microns of the amber, whereas Raman spectra reflected chemical changes at the millimetre level.Raman spectra showed a loss in CC groups on ageing of the amber samples at all levels of RH, while ATR‐FTIR spectra indicated an increase in the concentration of carbonyl for the same samples. Bands corresponding to unsaturated carbon bonds (1646 cm−1) were strong in Raman spectra and weak in FTIR spectra, while the opposite was true for bands representing carbonyl groups (1730 cm−1). The findings were attributed to reaction of oxygen with unsaturated carbon–carbon bonds in the terpenoid components of amber that formed acids containing carbonyl groups (dehydroabietic and 7‐oxodehydroabietic acids). ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy suggested that the rate of deterioration was slowed by high RH, although further investigations are required. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Triassic Amber of the Southern Alps (Italy)

Abstract The Heiligkreuz-Santa Croce Formation (also known as Durrenstein Formation, Upper Triassic) in the Dolomites contains one of the most ancient and substantial Triassic amber deposits in the world. The amber is found in sandstones and paleosols. It has an affinity to the conifer family Cheirolepidiaceae, and amber samples from the Julian and Carnic Alps (Southern Alps) also show an affinity to this family. Physico-chemical investigations of the amber from the Dolomites by solid-state Fourier-transform infrared analysis (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), pyrolysis-gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry (pyr-GC/MS), thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermogravimetry (DTG), and automatized elemental analysis yielded a complete characterization of the amber, and allowed comparison with other ambers and younger resins (copals). FTIR revealed absorption bands typical of all fossil resins, and the spectrum region from 8–10 μm provided a fingerprint of the Triassic amber that differs from other know...

Assignment of vibrational spectra of labdatriene derivatives and ambers: A combined experimental and density functional theoretical study

In this paper we present a theoretical study of the observed IR spectra of some samples of amber. We compare them to theoretically obtained spectra for a model of this natural polymer. The model assumes that communic acid and communol are plausible precursors in the natural polymerization of amber. We employ an electronic structure method at the BP86 density functional theory level. Our electronic structure methodology is found to be appropriate for the study and rationalization of the spectra of the chosen amber samples, with very good agreement with the observed spectra.

Fossil evidence of insect pathogens

The present report describes fossil evidence of insect pathogens, heretofore, almost non-existent, from six samples of amber ranging in age from 15 to 100 million years. They include a cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus and trypanosomatid infection in an adult biting midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), and a nuclear polyhedrosis virus in an adult sand fly (Diptera: Phlebotomidae), both from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber, several types of fungal thalli on the cuticle of an adult mosquito (Culicidae: Diptera), as well as a fungal growth on the prothorax of a fungus gnat (Mycetophilidae: Diptera) in Dominican amber and large tumors in the body cavity of a caterpillar (Lepidoptera) in Mexican amber. These discoveries suggest that insect polyhedrosis viruses were present 100 million years ago and present the possibility that vertebrate arboviruses (especially those in the family Reoviridae) could have evolved from cytoplasmic polyhedrosis viruses infecting biting insects. The flagellates in the Early Cretaceous biting midge represent the first fossil record of monogenetic trypanosomatid infections of arthropods.

Fossil protists and fungi in amber and rock substrates

Research Article| January 01, 2005 Fossil protists and fungi in amber and rock substrates Carmen Ascaso; Carmen Ascaso 1Centro de Ciencias Medioambientales, CSIC, Serrano 115 bis, 28006 Madrid, Spain, email: ascaso@ccma.csic.es Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jacek Wierzchos; Jacek Wierzchos 2Servicio de Microscopía Electrónica, Universidad de Lleida, Rovira Roure 44, 25198 Lleida, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mariela Speranza; Mariela Speranza 3Laboratorio de Micologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Julio Herrera y Reissig 565, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Juan Carlos Gutiérrez; Juan Carlos Gutiérrez 4Departamento de Microbiologia III, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Ana Martín González; Ana Martín González 4Departamento de Microbiologia III, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Asuncion de los Ríos; Asuncion de los Ríos 1Centro de Ciencias Medioambientales, CSIC, Serrano 115 bis, 28006 Madrid, Spain, email: ascaso@ccma.csic.es Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jesús Alonso Jesús Alonso 5Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Álava, C/ Siervas de Jesús 24, 01001 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Micropaleontology (2005) 51 (1): 59–72. https://doi.org/10.2113/51.1.59 Article history received: 03 Jan 2004 accepted: 11 Mar 2005 first online: 03 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Carmen Ascaso, Jacek Wierzchos, Mariela Speranza, Juan Carlos Gutiérrez, Ana Martín González, Asuncion de los Ríos, Jesús Alonso; Fossil protists and fungi in amber and rock substrates. Micropaleontology 2005;; 51 (1): 59–72. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/51.1.59 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentBy SocietyMicropaleontology Search Advanced Search Abstract The present study was designed to gain insight into the protists and fungi that made up the microbiota in the past, fossilized in two different substrates: amber and sandstone. The amber, dated as Lower Cretaceous, was from Álava in northern Spain, while fossil-bearing sandstone rocks were collected from the Linnaeus terrace and Mount Fleming regions of Antarctica. When examining this type of inclusion in hard substrates, it first has to be established whether the microorganism is mummified or only partially mineralized. In the latter case, some of the organism’s autofluorescence may be preserved. In our amber samples, light microscopy revealed a very well preserved microcenosis in what must have been a semiaquatic habitat comprised of several types of protozoa including Amoeba, Paramecium and Astasia (Euglena), Amebas limax and the colpodid ciliate Pseudoplatyophrya nana, as well as an abundant fossilized mycelium. The SEM-BSE procedure provided us with ultrastructural details of the fungi and protozoa, especially amoebae and flagellates. In the sandstone samples from Linnaeus terrace, it was possible to identify presumptive diatoms. Ultrastructural details were well-preserved in a fossil Trebouxia-type microalga from Mount Flemming, including the inner chloroplast area normally occupied by the pyrenoid. This fossilized microalga was shown by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to contain high Si levels in the pyrenoid zone, and high Fe levels in the area corresponding to the chloroplast periphery, peripheric cytoplasm and cell wall. In sandstone from Linnaeus Terrace, fossilized algae showed no central core containing Si, and the entire cell appeared to be completely filled with Al, K and Fe, with Fe most intensely observed within the algal wall.The present observations suggest that a well-preserved cell ultrastructure is the best criterion of biogenicity. You do not currently have access to this article.

Fossil protists and fungi in amber and rock substrates

The present study was designed to gain insight into the protists and fungi that made up the microbiota in the past, fossilized in two different substrates: amber and sandstone. The amber, dated as Lower Cretaceous, was from Alava in northern Spain, while fos- sil-bearing sandstone rocks were collected from the Linnaeus terrace and Mount Fleming regions of Antarctica. When examining this type of inclusion in hard substrates, it first has to be established whether the microorganism is mummified or only partially mineralized. In the latter case, some of the organism's autofluorescence may be preserved. In our amber samples, light microscopy revealed a very well preserved microcenosis in what must have been a semiaquatic habitat comprised of several types of protozoa including Amoeba, Paramecium and Astasia (Euglena), Amebas limax and the colpodid ciliate Pseudoplatyophrya nana, as well as an abundant fossilized mycelium. The SEM-BSE procedure provided us with ultrastructural details of the fungi and protozoa, especially amoebae and flagel- lates. In the sandstone samples from Linnaeus terrace, it was possible to identify presumptive diatoms. Ultrastructural details were well-preserved in a fossil Trebouxia-type microalga from Mount Flemming, including the inner chloroplast area normally occupied by the pyrenoid. This fossilized microalga was shown by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to contain high Si levels in the pyrenoid zone, and high Fe levels in the area corresponding to the chloroplast periphery, peripheric cytoplasm and cell wall. In sandstone from Linnaeus Terrace, fossilized algae showed no central core containing Si, and the entire cell appeared to be completely filled with Al, K and Fe, with Fe most intensely observed within the algal wall.The present observations suggest that a well-preserved cell ultrastructure is the best criterion of biogenicity.

NMR ANALYSIS OF AMBER IN THE ZUBAIR FORMATION, KHAFJI OILFIELD (SAUDI ARABIA – KUWAIT): COAL AS AN OIL SOURCE ROCK?

Amber samples obtained from coal deposits in the Zubair Formation at a depth of 1,800 m from the offshore Khafji oilfield (Saudi Arabia ‐ Kuwait Partitioned Neutral Zone) were subjected to NMR analysis. The resulting spectra identified the samples as originating from trees belonging to the genus Agathis. The NMR spectra were virtually identical to those obtained from Lower Cretaceous amber from Lebanon, Israel and Jordan, suggesting that a large forest of Agathis levantensis extended across the Arabian Plateau from the Levant to the Gulf. In this case, the forest would have extended a distance of approximately 1500 km, which would make it the largest amber‐producing forest known. It is suggested that the oil in the Khafji and adjoining Safaniya oilfields could have been derived from coal produced, at least in part, by Agathis levantensis.

The examination of amber beads from the collection of the state hermitage museum found in Arzhan-2 burial memorial site

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was applied to the analysis of amber beads recently found in the Arzhan-2 burial memorial site, located in the north of the Tuva Republic, near the boarder between Russia and Mongolia. Materials collected at this site were compared with two known Baltic amber materials, as well as non-Baltic ambers from Burma and Lebanon. A set of compounds was identified by their mass spectra to correspond to the various amber samples, permitting differentiation among the specimens. The analytical results show that the six specimens collected from the memorial site have been made of Baltic amber, and may be differentiated from the Burmese and Lebanese materials. Classification of the amber beads found in a memorial site provides clues to the trade routes and intercultural contacts associated with the site.

Pyrolysis of Baltic amber in a wire-mesh pyrolysis reactor: structural comparison of the tars with amber extracts in NMP

A sample of Baltic amber believed to be about 40 million years old, has been pyrolysed in a wire-mesh reactor. Nearly all (99%) of the sample was found to volatilise; the condensable tar yield was about 82%. These tars and extracts in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), ∼20% of the original amber sample, have been characterised by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and UV-fluorescence spectroscopy (UV-F). Size exclusion chromatograms of the soluble fraction of the amber gave relatively low intensity signal, indicating the lack of strongly absorbing chromophores. The profiles of the pyrolysis tar were more intense, suggesting that the pyrolytic process promoted aromatisation of the original structures. SEC of the amber extracts showed the presence of apparently large molecular mass material, possibly up to several million units. The SEC of the tar showed lower molecular mass material than that of the extract, with less absorbance at longer wavelengths, suggesting the presence of smaller polynuclear aromatic groups. Synchronous UV-fluorescence spectra suggest that the tar consisted mainly of fragmentation products of larger molecular mass material, deriving mostly from the insoluble, probably partly cross-linked part of the original sample.

Microdetermination of diosgenin from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds.

Sulfuric acid hydrolysis of steroidal glycosides of Amber fenugreek was studied by capillary gas chromatographic analysis of diosgenin [(25R)-spirost-5-en-3-ol] and isomeric spirostadiene artifacts from 100 mg samples of seed material. Following extraction with 80% ethanol, highest recoveries of diosgenin occurred when hydrolyses were conducted in sulfuric acid, prepared at 1 molar (M) concentration in water containing 60-80% 2-propanol. Compared to a previous method with aqueous hydrochloric acid, the selected conditions of hydrolysis at 100 degrees C for 2 h with sulfuric acid in 70% 2-propanol reduced diene formation but did not completely eliminate these artifacts. Extraction of steroidal saponins with various alcohol/water mixtures prior to sulfuric acid hydrolysis gave similar recoveries of diosgenin. Application of the quantitative method to experimental samples of Amber, Quatro, and ZT-5 fenugreek, using 10 mg subsamples of crushed seed that had been defatted with petroleum ether and dried at 60 degrees C, gave diosgenin levels of 0.55, 0.42, and 0.75%, respectively. Levels of smilagenin and sarsasapogenin were very low in hydrolyzed seed extracts from ZT-5, a Canadian breeder line of fenugreek.

A solid-state 13C NMR analysis of ambers

Colombian copalite samples (found at 73°5′W 6°19′N in the Cimitarra quadrangle), and commercial amber samples from Chiapas (Mexico), Dominican Republic and Poland (Baltic) were studied using solid-state 13C CP-MAS Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). NMR spectra for Colombian amber are shown and compared to those reported for the resin from the genus of the African species Hymenaea verrucosa and other Hymenaea trees, for which a close resemblance is observed. NMR spectral features of the other studied ambers are also discussed. A physical aging experiment was performed on a Colombian sample at 65°C. Differences in the solid-state NMR and IR spectra are explained in terms of changes in chemical cross-linking, isomerization and morphology.