A for Amber- An Impregnable Fossil!!
This post is a part of A-Z April Challenge 2013.
Amber, this term is often directed instantly to the color it holds. But archaeologists and historians may disregard this conclusion of referring amber only as a color. I was particularly fascinated about amber when I read about it in an Encyclopedia Book, way back during my school days.I saw a picture of an ant caught in an amber resin and over the years the resin has hardened to become a stone.The ant however has not decayed, still retaining it's physical properties.The content under the picture went this way, "This stone holds the fossil of an ant which is around 40 million years old".I didn't understand what a fossil was that day but instantly fell in love with the color of amber, which made me read that page about amber when I a child.But how can an ant stay without getting decayed for 40 million years?
This question kept lingering in my mind.
As I grew up, I started learning more about the properties of amber and it's significance.Amber's history dates back to centuries and there are many versions about it's etymology.Chemically, amber is a combination of more than 40 natural compounds and is a resin largely obtained from the Pine Tress near Baltic Countries.A resin is a tree's protective substance which drips down to heal it's wounded areas.During this process, some insects, plants, leaves get themselves engulfed inside the amber and as this amber hardens the remains of these insects are concealed safely inside amber stone.Almost all the properties of the engulfed object can be studied later when the amber stone is discovered.The amber stone acts like a protective shield against all natural forces and ensures that the perishable body of the object remains unaffected.
What fascinates me the most apart from the color, texture and feel of amber is it's incomparable ability to combat against all natural forces.Historians get amber stones as remains from the soil after the trees are died which illustrates amber's persistence.Amber today is used extensively in jewelry,in perfume industry for it's impeccable aroma, as an alternative medicine and as a decorative item.
Philosophically speaking, when talking about amber I remember another stone which catches the eyes of people; diamond.Chemically, amber also contains nearly 70% of carbon and even diamond's major composition is carbon.But, though carbon is black, both these stones stand the test of time and never "give up" their resistance which ultimately makes them so valuable. Both of them, go through erratic temperatures and climatic conditions to finally become an eye-catching jewelry component.If we are also able to persist through the tough times, we can discover the diamond inside us and our history will always be alive like the one stored inside amber.
Love,
Ram Thilak
Amber, this term is often directed instantly to the color it holds. But archaeologists and historians may disregard this conclusion of referring amber only as a color. I was particularly fascinated about amber when I read about it in an Encyclopedia Book, way back during my school days.I saw a picture of an ant caught in an amber resin and over the years the resin has hardened to become a stone.The ant however has not decayed, still retaining it's physical properties.The content under the picture went this way, "This stone holds the fossil of an ant which is around 40 million years old".I didn't understand what a fossil was that day but instantly fell in love with the color of amber, which made me read that page about amber when I a child.But how can an ant stay without getting decayed for 40 million years?
This question kept lingering in my mind.
As I grew up, I started learning more about the properties of amber and it's significance.Amber's history dates back to centuries and there are many versions about it's etymology.Chemically, amber is a combination of more than 40 natural compounds and is a resin largely obtained from the Pine Tress near Baltic Countries.A resin is a tree's protective substance which drips down to heal it's wounded areas.During this process, some insects, plants, leaves get themselves engulfed inside the amber and as this amber hardens the remains of these insects are concealed safely inside amber stone.Almost all the properties of the engulfed object can be studied later when the amber stone is discovered.The amber stone acts like a protective shield against all natural forces and ensures that the perishable body of the object remains unaffected.
What fascinates me the most apart from the color, texture and feel of amber is it's incomparable ability to combat against all natural forces.Historians get amber stones as remains from the soil after the trees are died which illustrates amber's persistence.Amber today is used extensively in jewelry,in perfume industry for it's impeccable aroma, as an alternative medicine and as a decorative item.
Philosophically speaking, when talking about amber I remember another stone which catches the eyes of people; diamond.Chemically, amber also contains nearly 70% of carbon and even diamond's major composition is carbon.But, though carbon is black, both these stones stand the test of time and never "give up" their resistance which ultimately makes them so valuable. Both of them, go through erratic temperatures and climatic conditions to finally become an eye-catching jewelry component.If we are also able to persist through the tough times, we can discover the diamond inside us and our history will always be alive like the one stored inside amber.
Love,
Ram Thilak
Lot of metaphorical insights into this precious stone. Many people also have names after this precious stone. AM-BER - Sounds good.
ReplyDeleteWonderful start. I wish the best for the rest 25. Keep going.
You can also link yourself with the other A-Zers.
Joy always,
Susan
P.S. http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/2012-to-z-challenge-sign-up-list.html
Thanks! Susan.. :) Yea.. Saw the site you've mentioned.. got a few friends already.. Blogging is a lot of fun indeed.. Understanding it's reach now
DeleteLoved it! I love the color and now,the details too! Great post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your personal appreciation Deepa.. :) Motivating..
DeleteJamie here, Just visiting from the A to Z ChallengeBeing Positive with a Depressive Soul Very interesting, something different from what I have been reading, thanks :)
ReplyDeletePleasure Jamie :D All the best for the challenge..
DeleteInformative and amazing post indeed. Loved reading through, all the best for the challenge :)
ReplyDeleteKeep Smiling,
Lakshmi
Thnks! Lakshmi.. :)
DeleteI like your post about Amber. I happen to be a geologist with a passion for paleontology, and Amber is really cool because it perfectly preserves the physical attributes of the insects it seals like you said. And no, sadly, we can't actually clone dinosaurs from the stomach contents of ancient mosquitoes...but I wish we could. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis was a fun post. Good luck on the rest of your A-to-Z Challenge!
Slithers of Thought (WR)
A Geologist! A very interesting work.. Happy this post caught your eyes as you are the perfect person to judge my observations about amber.Very happy to hear those words from you Sarah :).. Yea! Dinosaurs we couldn't do it in reality .. Thank you!
DeleteAll the best for A-Z Challenge!
This is a lovely post, that shows your passion. I've always been fascinated by the creatures and plants trapped in amber. I had no idea it was used in perfumes.
ReplyDeleteShannon at The Warrior Muse
Cool! Thank you Shannon.. :) Amber is truly a nature's beauty.. :)
DeleteAmber is very interesting and beautiful. It was brought to my attention recently when watching Dinosaur Train with my kids.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with the challenge :)
Beautiful stone and there's beauty in the post's last few lines.
ReplyDeleteHappy the last lines caught your eyes Sumitha!.. Only few can understand the inherent meaning behind those lines..
DeleteThank you! :)
Loved the color and the details :)
ReplyDelete