LONDON (Antarctic Science) -- Beneath the extreme cold of Antarctica, an unexpected treasure has emerged from the depths. A fragment of amber, a remnant of a now-vanished tropical forest, is intriguing scientists. 
This exceptional discovery sheds light on a time when the white continent hosted a lush biodiversity, far from its current image as a frozen desert. The amber, discovered during a 2017 expedition, comes from marine sediments drilled in Pine Island Bay. Dated to 90 million years ago, it attests to a much warmer climate during the Late Cretaceous period.
Plant fossils had already suggested the presence of ancient forests in Antarctica. However, this is the first time that an amber sample, formed by the fossilization of tree resin, has been found on this continent. This fossil material is a precious archive: by trapping organic matter, resin preserves clues about the vanished ecosystem. Insects, spores, or bark fragments can reveal the secrets of ancient life.
The analyzed fragments, though tiny, have allowed scientists to reconstruct a temperate forest environment dominated by conifers. These trees used resin for protection against threats like parasites or fires. Researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute are continuing their analyses to better understand this ecosystem. They hope to find traces of life or signs of significant events, such as wildfires.
This discovery serves as a reminder that Antarctica was not always an inhospitable land. It invites a reassessment of Earth’s history in a new light. A deeper analysis of the amber could provide important information about past climates and how ecosystems adapted to extreme conditions.
Amber is fossilized resin produced by certain tree species, mainly conifers. Initially, this resin served as natural protection against external threats, such as parasites or damage to the bark. Over time, the resin hardened and became buried under layers of sediment, transforming into a solid, translucent material.
This material is particularly prized by scientists for its role as a “time capsule.” As resin flows, it can trap plant fragments, spores, insects, and even microorganisms. These inclusions are exceptionally well-preserved, offering a direct glimpse of life and ecosystems from distant periods, often unreachable by other means.
The discovery of amber is rare, and its preservation depends on specific conditions. Resin must be quickly covered by sediments or water to prevent degradation by ultraviolet rays and oxygen. In Antarctica, the recovered fragments exhibit exceptional quality, indicating rapid burial in likely swampy environments. This discovery helps us better understand ancient temperate forests and the ecological interactions that animated them.