Introducing Paleontology

These newfound frogs have been trapped in amber for 99 million years

Bits of bugs and plants in the ancient goo provide a glimpse of the amphibians’ lives

amber

ARRESTED IN AMBER  Chunks of amber contain fossils of 99-million-year-old frogs that were roughly the size of a postage stamp. One chunk (left) holds a recognizably froggy leg and body. Another specimen (right) contains a juvenile with a partial skull.

Lida Xing

By Carolyn Gramling

- More than 2 years ago

About 99 million years ago, tiny frogs hopped through a wet, tropical forest — and an unlucky few ran afoul of some tree sap.