Varieties of Fossil Resins of the Western Central Asia and Their Molecular Structure

Abstract

This paper provides the first modern day overview of fossil resin finds in western Central Asia, which is located far beyond the traditional resin-bearing regions both in Russia and in northern West Europe. Based on little-known facts and random references in the geological literature, the main locations of fossil resins were revised and described, and the level of their study is assessed. The first FTIR study of the molecular structure of fossil resins in the Aral region showed that their classification as amber (in modern understanding – succinite assigned to the group of viscous resin) is not correct. They are represented by exclusively fragile varieties (retinite and gedanite) and, therefore, have no practical significance as jewelry raw material.