Unexpected treasure: German beachcomber finds rare 7‑ounce amber
Britta Krause, an enthusiast of beach walks on the northern German coast, made an extraordinary discovery at the beginning of May. During one of her daily strolls along the beach in Lindhöft, in the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, she stumbled upon something unusual. Initially, she thought it was of little value.
For over forty years, Britta has been collecting fossils such as sea urchins and shells. However, on this day, her find was exceptional. At first, she mistook it for a piece of plastic, but it turned out to be amber weighing 7 ounces. A simple saltwater test at home confirmed its identity. It floated on water, which is characteristic of amber.
7-ounce amber will be thoroughly examined
Dr Alberti, an expert quoted by nordkurier.de, explains that genuine amber can be identified under UV light, where it glows white-blue or greenish. Amber also has a characteristic structure, is soft, and can be scratched with a fingernail. However, Dr Alberti warns against confusing it with white phosphorus, which resembles amber but is hazardous.
The amber found will undergo thorough examinations, including a CT scan, to check for inclusions such as insects or plants. Such finds are extremely valuable to scientists as they provide information about life from millions of years ago.
The woman will continue her search
Britta Krause does not intend to give up her passion. Her husband is preparing special display cases for future finds, and the amber from Lindhöft will be given a place of honour. Every walk is an opportunity for her to make another discovery, demonstrating that patience and passion can lead to remarkable results.
Baltic amber, dating back about 35 million years, is fossilized resin from coniferous trees. The largest deposits are found along the Baltic coast, and finds like the one in Lindhöft remind us of the prehistoric treasures hidden in the sands of the beaches.
