Precious amber on show at Shanghai Natural History Museum

The Shanghai Natural History Museum will kick off a new show, Natural Treasures: Global Amber Treasures Exhibition, on Feb 1, the first day of the Chinese New Year.

The exhibition, which will showcase more than 500 pieces of precious amber, will run till May.

According to ancient Chinese mythology, amber is derived from the soul of dead tigers, hence the Chinese name Hupo (tiger soul), said Shi Zhongye, an assistant researcher at the Shanghai Natural History Museum.

Scientifically, amber is derived from fossilized resins and often contain insects and other small animals that provide valuable insights into the life forms, ecology and the environment on Earth millions of years ago.