American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History will treat 630 of its amber fossils that show signs of deterioration or vulnerability. These hardened and fossilized forms of tree resin-containing microscopic life forms range in age from the Early Cretaceous to the Quaternary and provide an archive of ancient life. Specific treatment will involve coating or embedding pieces within a special epoxy, documenting and imaging the treatment for each piece, and then preparing specimen cabinets to buffer against relative humidity fluctuations and outfitting them with data loggers to monitor humidity levels. This project will prepare the amber fossils for long-term preservation, safe handling, and research, and will increase their accessibility to researchers and the public worldwide.