The geological age of Jordanian amber compared with Lebanese amber is an important scientific question. Based on published studies, geological formations, and direct field observations, I argue that Jordanian amber is older than Lebanese amber by approximately five million years.
اضافة اعلان
There are four important lines of evidence supporting this interpretation:
1.Evidence from scientific studies: Research by Dani Azzar and other researchers discusses the geological age of Lebanese amber, assigning it to the Late Barremian–Aptian interval. In contrast, Jordanian amber-bearing deposits have been reported in the Lower Hauterivian. These stratigraphic assignments support an older age for the Jordanian deposits.
2.The difference in geological formations
George Poinar's published work discusses Lebanese amber occurring in limestone formations.
Jordanian amber, however, is associated with the Kurnub Sandstone sequence and lignite-bearing deposits above older Jurassic rocks. This geological difference is important when examining the formation and relative age of the two amber deposits.
3.Direct geological field observations: During field investigations with Professor Klaus Bandel, I observed Jurassic rocks underlying the amber-bearing deposits in the Zarqa River area of Jordan. The exposed Jurassic beds contain fossil traces, including Diplocraterion, Teichichnus and Ophiomorpha. Above these older formations, we observed lignite-bearing layers associated with Jordanian amber. These observations provide important geological context for understanding the age and stratigraphic position of the amber.
4.The importance of the Lower Hauterivian evidence. The identification of the Jordanian amber-bearing deposits as Lower Hauterivian is particularly important in comparing them with Lebanese amber. The stratigraphic evidence, together with the field observations and published geological studies, supports the interpretation that Jordanian amber is older.
Jordanian amber is not simply a collection of fossilized insects and plants. It is a geological record preserving evidence of an ancient forest and its ecosystem.
My field observations, together with the published work of Klaus Bandel, George Poinar and Dani Azzar, provide several lines of evidence for examining the difference in age between Jordanian and Lebanese amber.
I believe that the geological history of Jordanian amber deserves further scientific investigation and international recognition.
The picture shows Haddadin searches for amber in the lignite soil overlying the Jurassic stratum.
