Lizard in Amber

This is not a real object but a reproduction made to illustrate how small creatures could become trapped and preserved in amber.  We do have real pieces of amber in the collection containing insects, but this replica is far larger and allows visitors to the museum a better view.    Amber once was the sticky sap from ancient trees which oozed out, sometimes trapping creatures like the lizard.  It later hardened around it's victims preserving them perfectly sometimes for millions of years.  Mosquitos trapped in amber were used as the source of dinosaur DNA in Michael Crichton's novel "Jurassic Park" and the subsequent movie.