A new discovery of early Cretaceous (Wealden) amber from the Isle of Wight

Abstract

Abstract A new discovery of in situ amber is reported from the southwest coast of the Isle of Wight. The productive site is located within the Wealden Marls (Wessex Formation), generally regarded to be of earliest Barremian (early Cretaceous) age; also making this amber amongst some of the oldest known occurrences in the world. Amber globules can be found within two thin, black lignite horizons which form a channel-lag deposit exposed in the cliffssoutheast of Chilton Chine. Examination of plant material above and below this site by other workers, combined with infrared spectra of the amber in this study, implies a coniferous (possibly taxodiaceous) origin for this resin. Palaeoenviron-mental interpretation of the Chilton Chine site suggests that the amber was exuded locally, and in some cases the globules have beenpartly replaced by iron pyrite.