Fossils from Burma

Burma/Myanmar is best known in the fossil world for its amber, particularly that from the Hukawng Valley in Kachin State.

This amber dates to the mid-Cretaceous, around 99 million years ago, and is notable for the extraordinary preservation of small organisms trapped inside — including insects, spiders, feathers, and even tiny vertebrates. Some specimens show fine microscopic detail, making them invaluable for studies of Cretaceous ecosystems.

Burmese amber is often golden or reddish in colour and tends to polish well, making it attractive to both collectors and researchers. However, it is also a politically complicated material — much of it is mined in conflict zones, and the ethics of its extraction and trade have been questioned in recent years.

Outside of amber, Myanmar does have other fossil deposits, but these are far less well known or accessible. Amber from the Hukawng Valley remains its most significant contribution to palaeontology.

Burma