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Additional Information
Diptera in amber from the northwestern plateau of Ethiopia near Addis Ababa. Research on this material is still somewhat in its infancy and it’s availability on the open market is still uncommon. The original discovery occurred in 2010 when it was initially thought to be of Cretaceous origin. The dating was based on the age of the surrounding bedrock as well as other factors. However, the amber does not appear to be contemporaneous with the bedrock.
Subsequent research in 2016 looked closely at the chemical properties of the amber as well as observations of the inclusions. Some of the work used to determine the age of the amber focused on the phylogenetic mapping of the ant melissotarsus. Characteristics of the ant were not consistent with the age attributed to the amber and it is unlikely that this genus existed in the Cretaceous period. Ethiopian amber is now considered to be of Miocene age somewhere around 16 - 23 million years old.
Age aside, these inclusions are magnificent. The clarity of the resin, the preservation and the quality of the inclusions mean this material will become a sought after source for quality insects.
