Amber Fossil Scorpion
Scorpiones indet. cf. Buthidae family • Body fossil, invertebrate amber inclusion
Geological Period
Cretaceous (Mid-Cretaceous, Albian-Cenomanian)
Estimated Age
99 to 105 million years old
Preservation Type
Three-dimensional organic preservation trapped in fossilized tree resin (amber), preserving original cuticular structures without compression
Condition Assessment
Excellent, highly complete and articulated specimen with virtually no visible damage, missing appendages, or significant occlusions obscuring the anatomy
Taxonomic Classification
Phylum Arthropoda, Subphylum Chelicerata, Class Arachnida, Order Scorpiones, Family Buthidae, Genus Centromachus or Tityus-related
Morphological Description
Complete arachnid specimen preserved in ventral/dorsal view showing clearly articulated pedipalps, walking legs, broad mesosoma with segmented plates, and the slender metasoma (tail) terminating in a curved telson and stinger. Fine cuticular details, setae, and segmentation lines are exceptionally visible.
Rock Matrix
Transparent to translucent fossilized amber (tree resin, copal/amber matrix) with a polished cabochon surface
Formation & Location
Hukawng Valley, Kachin State, Myanmar (Burmese amber / Álaves amber deposits)
Size & Dimensions
The specimen measures approximately 3 to 4 cm in total length, which is within the normal size range for small Cretaceous forest-dwelling scorpions
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
1,500 - 4,000 USD
Auction Estimate
2,000 - 5,000 USD
Rarity Assessment
Exceptionally Rare, as fossil scorpions in amber represent a minute fraction of all amber inclusions compared to insects and spiders
Scientific Significance
Scorpions in Cretaceous amber are exceptionally rare and provide crucial insights into the morphology, diversity, and micro-habitat ecology of early arachnids in tropical resiniferous forest ecosystems
Preparation Recommendations
Requires stabilization in UV-filtered display cases, protection from extreme heat and direct sunlight to prevent amber crazing or degradation, and storage in stable humidity-controlled environments
Notable Features
The vivid yellow-to-orange preservation of the scorpion's cuticle contrasted against the dark amber matrix, alongside the pristine preservation of the delicate stinger and pedipalps