Fossil resins – A chemotaxonomical overview

Fossil resins, also known under the name “ambers”, are formed from exudates of gymnosperm and angiosperm trees in Earth's sedimentary rocks. Up to day, more than 167 fossil resin occurrences and major deposits have been reported in literature. The scientists are mainly focused on fossiliferous ambers, which contain numerous fossil inclusions. However, the geochemical studies, especially those that are aimed at elucidation of the chemical composition of the fossil resins are scantily reported in literature. The chemical composition of ambers is very important for establishing an evolutionary link between ancient plants and their present form. Here, we present seventy-eight major occurrences of fossil resins together with their geochemical, botanical, and geographical data that have been published up to now. Most of them are from North America, Europe, and Asia; however, the occurrences from South America, Africa, Australia, and Oceania are also discussed. The examined ambers have been found in the late Carboniferous or younger sediments. In most cases, the sediments were formed in a close-to-the-shore or swamp-based environment. In many cases, the fossil resins were likely transferred and redeposited in younger sediments during various environmental and geological processes. •An overview of fossil resin occurrences involving the chemical data.•The overview presents the results of geochemical studies on 78 different fossil resins.•The botanical sources, ages, and geographic locations of fossil resins are given.•Specific biomarkers related to the botanical source are presented.