Marine Archeology Discovers Remnants from Ancient Sinking Sites - Underneath Lies the Historical Remnants From the Ocean Depths
In the cool autumn and winter months, the shores of the Baltic and North Sea offer a unique treasure hunting experience - the pursuit of amber. This golden gem, with its honey yellow, orange, brownish, or even rare red, greenish, milky-white, or yellow hues, has been captivating humans for millions of years.
Amber, a relic from a long-lost world that existed 40 to 50 million years ago, is the hardened sap of trees that fell to the forest floor in lumps, eventually hardening over time to form copal. This prehistoric resin, attracted by the pines' bark, would trap insects like mosquitoes, flies, and bees, preserving them for eternity.
The Baltic Sea, in particular, is a rich source of amber, with many pieces containing numerous tiny air bubbles, offering a glimpse into the ancient atmosphere. The first amber objects were discovered in the 19th century near the coast of the Kurshskaya Spit (Curonian Spit) in the Baltic Sea.
The origin of the English term "amber" and the French term "ambre" can be traced back to an ancient misunderstanding of its formation. Despite this, amber has been known since ancient Greece and Rome, where it was used as a gemstone.
Today, guided night walks for amber searching are available at many places, using black light lamps. Storms in the Baltic Sea can bring amber chunks and crumbs back to the surface, providing a snapshot of the past. Amber floats in saltwater and glows neon under UV light, making it seem like it floats above the water.
However, it's essential to handle amber carefully. Genuine amber can only form from copal under air exclusion, such as underwater. Phosphorus, often found in amber, can start burning in the air if it gets too warm, so found treasures should be placed in a small glass immediately.
Amber found in the Baltic Sea can weigh up to 600 kilograms in a single winter, primarily in Lithuania. Remains of ammunition from the two world wars, including phosphorus chunks, are sometimes washed up on German beaches, resembling amber.
Despite these challenges, the allure of amber remains undiminished. Amber, a mixture of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and a hint of sulfur, has fascinated people since the Stone Age, offering a tangible link to a world long gone but forever preserved in this golden, shimmering substance.
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