Chinese scientists have discovered hundreds of small pieces of amber dating back about 385 million years, 65 million years older than the previous record.
This discovery shows that early vascular plants were capable of producing complex chemical gums long before the emergence of dinosaurs and seed plants.
Researchers have identified these tiny fragments using ultraviolet light and spectroscopic tests among layers of coal, and believe these gums were likely produced to defend plants against parasitic fungi and forest fires.
