What is amber?

The amber that was collected in the Stone Age originates from extensive forest areas that covered large parts of northern Europe 35-55 million years ago. Amber is hardened resin secreted by some types of trees. The resin dripped down onto the forest floor, where over several thousand years it hardened into amber. Amber is not found in any of the places where it was produced. The sea, rivers and the ice from the Ice Ages have transported it widely. Amber is spread over a huge area, from England in the west to Russia and the Ukraine in the east. Today it is found in the largest quantities along the west coast of Jutland and the coasts of the Baltic States.