112-Million-Year-Old Time Capsule Reveals Ancient Insects
A Window Into the Past
Scientists uncovered amber deposits in Ecuador’s rainforest. The resin dates to about 112 million years ago. It holds insects, plants, and even a spider web.They call it a “time capsule” of ancient life. It offers rare evidence from the Cretaceous era. The find lies deep within the Hollín Formation near Archidona.
Much amber with preserved organisms usually comes from the Northern Hemisphere. However, this discovery comes from the Southern side of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana.
Insects, Webs, and Ecosystems
Researchers studied 60 pieces of aerial amber. They found 21 inclusions, including flies, beetles, wasps, and springtails.
They also detected part of a spider web’s threads. That fragment shows an orb-web design, revealing early spider behavior. Plant fossils, spores, and pollen from the site helped reconstruct the ancient forest environment.
The team inferred a humid, dense forest filled with resin-producing trees. In addition, freshwater habitats like ponds likely existed nearby.
The amber comes in two types — underground and aerial forms. Only the aerial amber preserved the insects, capturing them mid-movement for millions of years.
This find deepens our understanding of Cretaceous life in South America. It fills major gaps in knowledge about southern ecosystems and ancient biodiversity.
However, many mysteries remain. Scientists still lack DNA from these insects. They also hope to identify their exact species soon.
As research continues, new amber samples may surface. Those might reveal more species and unseen ecological details.
This remarkable time capsule connects us to life millions of years ago. It reminds us that even the smallest creatures can tell the biggest stories.
