Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Responsive image
Issue: Vol. 3 No. 2: June (In progress) 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-06-24
DOI: 10.11646/mesozoic.3.2.3
Page range: 165-176
Abstract views: 29
PDF downloaded: 14

Early Cretaceous amber from the Heibaoshan-Handaqi Basin, Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China

State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy; Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Nanjing 210008; China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100049; China
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy; Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Nanjing 210008; China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100049; China
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy; Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Nanjing 210008; China
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy; Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Nanjing 210008; China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100049; China
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy; Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Nanjing 210008; China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100049; China; Faculty of Sciences II; Natural Sciences Department; Lebanese University; Fanar-El-Matn; PO Box 90656 Jdeideh; Lebanon
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy; Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Nanjing 210008; China
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy; Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Nanjing 210008; China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100049; China
Jiufengshan Formation Heihe amber FT-IR analysis Lower Cretaceous

Abstract

Cretaceous amber plays a crucial role in understanding the evolution of Late Mesozoic biotas and changes in palaeoclimates and palaeoenvironments. This paper reports amber, insects and plant fossils from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufengshan Formation in Heihe City, Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China, and presents the Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic characteristics of the amber. The Heihe amber occurs predominantly as irregular blocky pieces and layered forms, and is mainly preserved in coal seams. In addition, insect fossils belonging to multiple groups, including Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Blattodea and Trichoptera (caddis cases), have been found in black shales near the amber-bearing horizons, further enriching the palaeobiological assemblage of the region. This discovery provides important empirical evidence for investigating the biotic characteristics and stratigraphic correlation of northern China during the late Mesozoic.

References

  1. Azar, D., Gèze, R. & Acra, F. (2010) Chapter 14: Lebanese amber. In: Penney, D. (Ed.), Biodiversity of fossils in amber from the major world deposits. Siri Scientific Press, Manchester, pp. 271–298.
  2. Azar, D., Maksoud, S., Cai, C.Y. & Huang, D.Y. (2019) A new amber outcrop from the Lower Cretaceous of northeastern China. Palaeoentomology, 2 (4), 345–349. https://doi.org/10.11646/palaeoentomology.2.4.8
  3. Bouju, V. & Perrichot, V. (2020) A review of amber and copal occurrences in Africa and their paleontological significance. BSGF—Earth Sciences Bulletin, 191 (17), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1051/bsgf/2020018
  4. Bugdaeva, E.V., Nosova, N.V., Sun, G., Liang, F., Golovneva, L.B. & Song, Y. (2025) The Coal-Forming plants of Early Cretaceous resin coals of the southern Primorye (Russia) and Heilongjiang Province (China). Russian Journal of Pacific Geology, 19 (6), 671–682. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1819714025700460
  5. Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources of Heilongjiang Province. (1993) Regional Geology of Heilongjiang Province. Geology Press, Beijing, 734 pp. [In Chinese]
  6. Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources of Heilongjiang Province. (1997) Lithostratigraphy of Heilongjiang Province. China University of Geosciences Press, Wuhan, 298 pp. [In Chinese]
  7. Chang, S.C., Zhang, H.C., Renne, P.R. & Fang, Y. (2009) High-precision 40Ar/39Ar age for the Jehol biota. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 280, 94–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2009.06.021
  8. Delclòs, X., Arillo, A., Peñalver, E., Barrón, E., Soriano, C., López Del Valle, R., Bernárdez, E., Corral, C. & Ortuño, V.M. (2007) Fossiliferous amber deposits from the Cretaceous (Albian) of Spain. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 6 (1–2), 135–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2006.09.003
  9. Delclòs, X., Peñalver, E., Barrón, E., Peris, D., Grimaldi, D.A., Holz, M., Labandeira, C.C., Saupe, E.E., Scotese, C.R., Solórzano-Kraemer, M.M., Álvarez-Parra, S., Arillo, A., Azar, D., Cadena, E.A., Dal Corso, J., Kvaček, J., Monleón-Getino, A., Nel, A., Peyrot, D., Bueno-Cebollada, C.A., Gallardo, A., González-Fernández, B., Goula, M., Jaramillo, C., Kania-Kłosok, I., López-Del Valle, R., Lozano, R.P., Meléndez, N., Menor-Salván, C., Peña-Kairath, C., Perrichot, V., Rodrigo, A., Sánchez-García, A., Santer, M., Sarto i Monteys, V., Uhl, D., Viejo, J.L. & Pérez-de la Fuente, R. (2023) Amber and the Cretaceous resinous interval. Earth-Science Reviews, 243, 104486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2023.104486
  10. Gao, H.L., Su, Y.T., Cai, C.Y., Azar, D., Song, X.B., Lian, X.N. & Huang, D.Y. (2024) Discussion on the age of the Early Cretaceous amber from the Hailar Basin, NE China. Mesozoic, 1 (2), 192–207. https://doi.org/10.11646/mesozoic.1.2.11
  11. Grimaldi, D., Beck, C.W. & Boon, J.J. (1989) Occurrence, chemical characteristics, and paleontology of the fossil resins from New Jersey. American Museum Novitates, 2948, 1–28.
  12. Grimaldi, D.A., Engel, M.S. & Nascimbene, P.C. (2002) Fossiliferous Cretaceous amber from Myanmar (Burma): its rediscovery, biotic diversity, and paleontological significance. American Museum Novitates, 3361, 1–71. https://doi.org/10.1206/0003-0082(2002)361<0001:FCAFMB>2.0.CO;2
  13. Guo, X. (2024) Paleoenvironmental Significance of Biomarkers in Early Cretaceous Coals in Huola Basin. Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, 77 pp. [In Chinese] https://doi.org/10.27104/d.cnki.ghbjy.2024.000041
  14. Han, Z.Z., Li, Z.D., Sun, G.R. & Yin, Z.G. (2000) The first finds of the Mesozoic fish fossil (Genus Asiatorepis Takai) in the west of Heilongjiang Province and its geological significance. Heilongjiang Geology, 11 (3), 8–14. [In Chinese]
  15. He, H.Y., Wang, X.L., Zhou, Z.H., Wang, F., Boven, A., Shi, G.H. & Zhu, R.X. (2004) Timing of the Jiufotang Formation (Jehol Group) in Liaoning, northeastern China, and its implications. Geophysical Research Letters, 31 (12), L12605. https://doi.org/10.1029/2004GL019790
  16. Huber, B.T., Norris, R.D. & MacLeod, K.G. (2002) Deep-sea paleotemperature record of extreme warmth during the Cretaceous. Geology, 30 (2), 123–126. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0123:DSPROE>2.0.CO;2
  17. Ji, G.Z., Cai, C.Y., Yu, X.F., Azar, D., Dong, C., Song, X.B., Wang, Y.H., Xu, M.M. & Huang, D.Y. (2025) Distribution and mineralogical characteristics of amber in the Upper Cretaceous Gaogou Formation in Xixia, Henan Province, China. Mesozoic, 2 (1), 60–69. https://doi.org/10.11646/mesozoic.2.1.8
  18. Jia, X.H., Liang, C.Y. & Zheng, C.Q. (2025) Detrital zircon U–Pb ages of sandstone from Jiufengshan Formation in Nenjiang area, Heilongjiang Province: Provenance and tectonic implications. Global Geology, 28 (2), 79–98. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1673-9736.2025.02.01
  19. Jin, R.S. (1997) Discovery of the plant fossil and significance of the ascertained age in the Jiufengshan Formation, the Oupu Basin, Huma County. Heilongjiang Geology, 8 (2), 6–17. [In Chinese]
  20. Klages, J.P., Gerschel, H., Salzmann, U., Nehrke, G., Müller, J., Hillenbrand, C.D., Bohaty, S.M. & Bickert, T. (2024) First discovery of Antarctic amber. Antarctic Science, 36 (5), 439–440. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954102024000208
  21. Kubota, A., Takeda, Y., Yi, K., Sano, S. & Iba, Y. (2025) Amber in the Cretaceous deep sea deposits reveals large-scale tsunamis. Scientific Reports, 15, 14298. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96498-2
  22. Langenheim, R.L., Jr., Smiley, C.J. & Gray, J. (1960) Cretaceous amber from the Arctic coastal plain of Alaska. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, 71 (9), 1345–1356. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1960)71[1345:CAFTAC]2.0.CO;2
  23. Li, X.B. & Reisz, R. (2020) The stratigraphy and paleoenvironment of a ‘Lycoptera Bed’ site in eastern Inner Mongolia, China: correlation with the fossiliferous Lower Cretaceous strata in western Liaoning. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 559, 109951. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2020.109951
  24. Li, Y.L., Zheng, D.R., Li, X.B., Teng, X., Zhang, Q.Q., Wang, H., Lee, H.Y., Wang, B. & Chang, S.C. (2023a) New age constraints on the Lower Cretaceous Jiufengshan Formation of Inner Mongolia, China and their implications for the spatiotemporal development of the Jehol biota. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 629, 111787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111787
  25. Li, Y.L., Zheng, D.R., Sha, J.G., Zhang, H.C., Denyszyn, S. & Chang, S.C. (2023b) Lower Cretaceous Hailar amber: The oldest-known amber from China. Cretaceous Research, 145, 105472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2022.105472
  26. Luo, L.H. & Huang, D.Y. (2026) Late Cretaceous amber from Jiayin (Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China) and wildfire events. Palaeoentomology, 9 (2), 189–199. https://doi.org/10.11646/palaeoentomology.9.2.11
  27. Maksoud, S., Granier, B.R.C. & Azar, D. (2022) Palaeoentomological (fossil insects) outcrops in Lebanon. Carnets de Géologie, 22 (16), 699–743. https://doi.org/10.2110/carnets.2022.2216
  28. McKellar, R.C., Wolfe, A.P., Tappert, R. & Muehlenbachs, K. (2008) Correlation of Grassy lake and Cedar lake ambers using infrared spectroscopy, stable isotopes, and palaeoentomology. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 45 (9), 1061–1082. https://doi.org/10.1139/E08-049
  29. Najarro, M., Peñalver, E., Pérez-De La Fuente, R., Ortega-Blanco, J., Menor-Salván, C., Barrón, E., Soriano, C., Rosales, I., López Del Valle, R., Velasco, F., Tornos, F., Daviero-Gomez, V., Gomez, B. & Delclòs, X. (2010) Review of the El Soplao amber outcrop, Early Cretaceous of Cantabria, Spain. Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 84 (4), 959–976. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-6724.2010.00258.x
  30. Néraudeau, D., Perrichot, V., Colin, J.P., Girard, V., Gomez, B., Guillocheau, F., Masure, E., Peyrot, D., Tostain, F., Videt, B. & Vullo, R. (2008) A new amber deposit from the Cretaceous (uppermost Albian–lowermost Cenomanian) of southwestern France. Cretaceous Research, 29 (5-6), 925–929. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2008.05.009
  31. Ni, Z.J., Song, X.B., Azar, D., Wang, Z.X., Cai, C.Y., Xuan, Q., Maksoud, S., Lian, X.N. & Huang, D.Y. (2023) Discovery of Late Cretaceous amber from Guangzhou, South China. Palaeoentomology, 6 (4), 329–332. https://doi.org/10.11646/palaeoentomology.6.4.3
  32. Perkovsky, E.E. & Vasilenko, D.V. (2019) A summary of recent results in the study of Taimyr amber. Paleontological Journal, 53 (10), 984–993. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0031030119100149
  33. Ren, F.H., Yang, X.P., Li, Y.C., Wang, Y. & Zhou, X.F. (2005) Chronostratigraphic division of the Jixi Group in eastern Heilongjiang Province and its geological significance. Geology in China, 32 (1), 48–54. [In Chinese]
  34. Ross, A.J. (2024) Complete checklist of Burmese (Myanmar) amber taxa 2023. Mesozoic, 1 (1), 21–57. https://doi.org/10.11646/mesozoic.1.1.4
  35. Shi, G.L., Dutta, S., Paul, S., Wang, B. & Jacques, F.M.B. (2014) Terpenoid compositions and botanical origins of Late Cretaceous and Miocene amber from China. PLoS One, 9 (10), e111303. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0111303
  36. Song, X.B., Sui, X., Xuan, Q., Azar, D., Cai, C.Y., Wang, Z.X. & Huang, D.Y. (2024) A new amber outcrop from the Late Cretaceous of Xingning Basin, South China. Palaeoentomology, 7 (6), 770–777. https://doi.org/10.11646/palaeoentomology.7.6.12
  37. Tihelka, E., Jarzembowski, E.A., Azar, D., Huang, D.Y. & Cai, C.Y. (2023) An unusual artematopodid beetle from Early Cretaceous Wealden amber (Coleoptera: Elateroidea: Artematopodidae). Palaeoentomology, 6 (5), 445–458. https://doi.org/10.11646/palaeoentomology.6.5.4
  38. Yang, X.P., Ma, Y.Q., Hao, Y.H., Wang, H.J. & Li, Y.C. (2005) Chronostratigraphic classification of Muling Formation, Jixi Group in eastern Heilongjiang Province. Geology and Resources, 14 (3), 166–169. [In Chinese] https://doi.org/10.13686/j.cnki.dzyzy.2005.03.002
  39. Yang, Y.J., Jiang, B., Wang, X.Z., Pang, X.J. & Shi, G.M. (2020) Chronostratigraphic division of the Early Cretaceous Jiufengshan Formation in Heibaoshan–Handaqi Basin, Heilongjiang Province. Geology and Resources, 29 (5), 403–410. [In Chinese] https://doi.org/10.13686/j.cnki.dzyzy.2020.05.001
  40. Zhang, H.C., Wang, B. & Fang, Y. (2010) Evolution of insect diversity in the Jehol biota. Scientia Sinica (Terrae), 40 (9), 1266–1276. [In Chinese] https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-010-4098-5
  41. Zhang, Y., Barreiro, I.R., Wan, C.B., Ge, W.C., Wang, G.C., Xue, Y.F., Li, T. & Zhang, X. (2026) Integrative palynology and U–Pb zircon geochronology of the Jiufengshan Formation (upper Aptian, Dayangshu Basin, NE China): evidence for early angiosperm expansion at mid-latitudes. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 691, 113728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2026.113728
  42. Zhao, F.M., Lu, M.Q., Yan, Y.J., Liu, X.M., Wang, X.C. & Wu, D. (1991) The sedimentary structure and the characteristics of accumulation in the Late Jurassic in the Heibaoshan–Mu’erqi Basin. Journal of Changchun University of Earth Science, 21 (4), 411–416. [In Chinese]