Description

This impressive piece of Burmite (Burmese Amber) captures a moment frozen in time approximately 99 million years ago. The centerpiece is a complete and detailed Cockroach (Order: Blattodea), likely belonging to the extinct family Blattulidae, which thrived in the tropical forests of our most famous Cretaceous Hukawng Valley.

Specimen Details: The preservation of this insect is remarkable. Key diagnostic features are clearly visible:

• The Pronotum: The characteristic shield-like plate covering the head is distinct, a hallmark of cockroach evolution that has remained unchanged for millions of years.

• Legs & Antennae: The specimen features well-defined “cursorial” (running) legs with visible traction spines and long, whip-like antennae extending from the head.

• Coloration: Under strong lighting, the exoskeleton exhibits a fascinating greenish-golden sheen. While often an artifact of fossilization in amber, this “structural color” highlights the relief of the wings (tegmina) against the resin.

The Matrix: The amber itself is a large, polished cabochon weighing nearly 30 carats. It possesses excellent transparency, allowing for easy macro photography. The background reveals sweeping “flow lines”—layers of resin that poured over one another nearly 100 million years ago—adding geological character to the biological rarity.

Dimensions: 40×24.11×10.3mm
Weight: 29.76 cts