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.

中文翻译：

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中亚西部树脂化石的种类及其分子结构

摘要

本文首次对中亚西部发现的树脂化石进行了现代概述，该区域远远超出了俄罗斯和西欧北部的传统树脂区域。根据鲜为人知的事实和地质文献中的随机参考，对化石树脂的主要位置进行了修订和描述，并对其研究水平进行了评估。对咸海地区树脂化石分子结构的首次 FTIR 研究表明，将它们归类为琥珀（在现代理解中——琥珀石被归入粘性树脂组）是不正确的。它们仅以易碎品种（视黄石和 gedanite）为代表，因此作为珠宝原料没有实际意义。