A praying mantis, encased in amber and frozen in time since Earth’s ancient Paleogene Period, sparked a flurry of bids amongst collectors after its modern discovery in the Dominican Republic.
Some 30 million years ago, when giant rhinos and primitive three-toed horses roamed the earth, sticky resin leaking out of a single tree trapped a crawling praying mantis. The unfortunate creature died inside the sticky tomb, to be forever preserved as the resin fossilized, turning to amber.
While the average human cannot comprehend such a length of time, it is still amazing to think that the very same insect is exactly the same now as it was at that fateful moment. Sold by Heritage Auctions for $6,000 in 2016, the little piece of prehistoric treasure is up for sale again; this time attracting bids almost double the original amount it went for.
A praying mantis encased in fossilized amber, some 30 million years old. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com
The praying mantis fossilized in amber attracted bids nearly double the original amount of $6,000 that it previously sold for in 2016. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com
Standing just over an inch tall—about the size of a cough drop—the stunningly clear, pale yellow amber perfectly showcases its victim with amazing clarity. Poised in an upright position, the tiny chap appears to have been waiting for prey as the oozing resin descended on him. Looking closely, the viewer can see the sharp spines lining its forelegs in minute detail, the triangular head, and its famous bulging eyes. Close-up photos show an even greater level of detail.
The auction house’s listing describes the entombed mantis as “poetically singular in the otherwise pristine fossil remnant.”
Though its exact date cannot be known, specialists place the artifact as belonging to the Oligocene Period, the third and last part of the Paleogene Period, which ran from 65.5 million to 23 million years ago. According to Earth and life sciences editor John P. Rafferty, the term “Oligocene” comes from Greek and means “the epoch of few recent forms,” referencing how few animals we know today originate from that time.
A detail showing the preserved limbs, body, and head of the praying mantis encased in fossilized amber. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com
The fossilized amber containing the insect measures just over an inch—about the size of a cough drop. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com
The curious creature trapped in amber may be old, but he isn’t the oldest of the preserved praying mantises. One fossilized praying mantis discovered in Japan, encased in amber, is approximately 87 million years old. Another fossil found embedded in a rock slab in Brazil predates the dinosaur age.
This particular mantis is one of countless Oligocene insects preserved in amber, including bees, butterflies, ants, and spiders. The function of distinct-smelling tree resin is to protect bark from bacteria and fungi. Highly antiseptic and lacking water, it prevents the biology of its host from decaying amazingly well. In the Dominican Republic, amber differentiates itself from Baltic amber by being nearly always transparent.
For those who don’t have a spare $11,000 to splash on their own personal fossil, the American World Museum of Natural History in New York holds an impressive collection of amber specimens for perusal—including ancient wasps and bees.
Anna Mason is a writer based in England. She majored in literature and specializes in human interest, travel, lifestyle and content marketing. Anna enjoys storytelling, adventures, the Balearic sunshine and the Yorkshire rain.
