By: Dr. Abbas Haddadin
The discovery of pollen grains preserved in Jordanian amber represents significant scientific evidence of ancient plant diversity in the region. These microscopic structures, trapped within fossilized tree resin millions of years ago, provide valuable insight into the vegetation, climate, and ecological interactions that existed during the Early Cretaceous period.
اضافة اعلان
Microscopic examination of amber samples collected from northern Jordan, particularly from areas associated with ancient resin-producing forests, reveals the presence of different pollen morphologies. Among them are spherical pollen grains and perforated (aperturate) types, some exhibiting a single distinct pore resembling a circular opening. These apertures are critical diagnostic features used in palynology to classify plant taxa and determine evolutionary relationships.
The presence of both spherical and perforated pollen grains indicates botanical diversity and suggests the coexistence of multiple plant groups. Aperturate pollen grains are typically associated with more advanced angiosperm lineages, while simpler spherical forms may correspond to gymnosperms or earlier plant groups.
This diversity supports the hypothesis that Jordan’s amber-bearing deposits preserve evidence of transitional floral ecosystems during a dynamic phase of plant evolution approximately 100–140 million years ago.
The preservation quality of the pollen grains within the amber matrix is exceptional. Amber acts as a natural protective capsule, shielding delicate biological structures from decay, compression, and environmental alteration. As a result, surface ornamentation, pore structure, and wall thickness remain observable under magnification, allowing for accurate morphological assessment.
These findings contribute to a broader understanding of early flowering plant development in the Middle East and reinforce the scientific importance of Jordanian amber deposits. The study of fossil pollen not only documents ancient biodiversity but also helps reconstruct paleoclimatic conditions, atmospheric circulation patterns, and ecological networks that shaped the region’s prehistoric landscapes.
Jordanian amber continues to provide rare and valuable paleobotanical records, positioning Jordan as an important site for early Cretaceous research and expanding the global scientific database on fossilized plant life.
The picture shows Pollen grains preserved in Jordanian Amber.
