Amazing amber

Used for centuries as a decorative artefact, amber was treasured, too, 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. This is the book of the exhibition held at the National Museum of Scotland 10 May-8 September 2013. It brings together, for the first time, the highlights of National Museums Scotland's fine collection plus loans from the V&A, Abbotsford Trust, Natural History Museum, NBC Universal and Sir David Attenborough, revealing the origins, properties and uses of this precious substance.