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Amazing Amber

Fri 10 May – Sun 8 September
Psuedoscorpion in amber

This breathtaking exhibition explores the many facets of a beautiful and versatile material that has been treasured for thousands of years: amber.

Bringing together for the first time the highlights of National Museums Scotland’s fine collection, Amazing Amber reveals the origins, properties and uses of this precious substance.

Open daily 10:00–17:00

Exhibition gallery 2, Level 3

How to get to the Museum

Free


  • Amber from the Lebanon

    What is amber?

  • Skull carved from Mexican amber

    Real or fake?

  • Spider in amber

    Amber events


  • Knowes of Trotty old amber finds

    Knowes of Trotty old amber finds.

  • Amber cattle charm to purify water

    Amber cattle charm to purify water.

  • Chinese bottle made from amber

    Chinese bottle made from amber.

  • Diving beetles in Mexican amber

    Diving beetles in Mexican amber.

  • Lacewing in Burmese amber

    Lacewing in Burmese amber.

  • Leaf in Mexican amber

    Leaf in Mexican amber.

  • Pseudoscorpion in Baltic amber

    Pseudoscorpion in Baltic amber.

  • Silver brooch-pin with amber inlay, from Westness, Rousay, Orkney, 8th century AD

    Silver brooch-pin with amber inlay, from Westness, Rousay, Orkney, 8th century AD.

  • Amber ring by Agnieszka Łukasik

    Amber ring by Agnieszka Łukasik.

About the exhibition

Found all over the world, amber, fossilised tree resin, can vary widely in appearance and has many different uses. On display will be pieces from across the globe, from Borneo to the Baltic, Sicily to Scotland. Used for centuries as a decorative artefact, amber was also treasured for its perceived magical powers, crafted into charms and amulets to heal and ward off evil spirits.

Amber also has the unique capacity to preserve fragile life that is millions of years old, opening a special window into the past. The exhibition explores how scientists are continuing to make exciting new discoveries based on life forms preserved in amber.

You can see inside the exhibition here.


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National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130