Page 32 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

30 INTRODUCING EST ONIA , LA T VIA AND LITHU ANIA

Baltic Amber
Amber has been valued for millennia, with amber jewellery
found dating back to the early Neolithic period (around 7000 BC).
Many medical authorities of the ancient world, including
Hippocrates, believed that amber had healing properties. A trade
network, now known as the Amber Road, arose at the height of
the Roman Empire. In the medieval period, amber was used to
make rosaries. Today, it still washes up on Latvian and Lithuanian
shores, although 90 per cent of the world’s amber is mined in the
Curonian Spit of neighbouring Kaliningrad. One of the many amber stalls
found in tourist areas
Identifying Amber
Sellers may pass off copal or plastic as genuine amber. Genuine
amber floats in salt water and exudes a pine scent when touched
with a red-hot needle, but only laboratory tests are conclusive.

Amber-catchers in the Baltic
Sea are shown in this litho-
graph from the 1850s. In the
13th century, local amber-
gathering was forbidden by
the Teutonic Knights. Their Unpolished amber of different
monopoly was lifted only in colours and shapes
the 19th century, reviving
amber-working traditions.

Amber pieces are regularly
washed ashore in Pāvilosta
(see p183), a small port town
in Latvia. There are a handful
of professional amber-
catchers, and tourists can
arrange to go out with them.
Formation of Amber
Before it is washed up on the coasts of the Baltic States, which happens especially after raging storms,
amber takes millions of years to transform from pine resin into a sought-after substance. Often clear,
amber can also contain pine needles or insects which were trapped in the resin before it solidified.

Tree Exuding Resin Insects Trapped in Amber Copal Formation
Certain trees exude a sticky resin, Any insects stuck in the resin are Copal, or hardened resin,
which has a range of def ensive prevented from decaying, as the becomes incorporated into the
functions. Its antiseptic qualities substance is antiseptic and ground after the tree dies. The
kill bacteria and fungi, while its lacking in water. Slowly, the solidification process continues
stickiness inhi bits physical attack volatile components evaporate, for millions of years, until the
from insects. leaving behind copal. inert substance becomes amber.