40-Million-Year-Old Ant Discovered in Goethe's Amber Collection

Scientists have discovered a 40-million-year-old extinct ant, *Ctenobethylus goepperti*, hidden within a piece of amber from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's personal collection. This finding provides new information about the species. The amber pieces were unpolished, making the inclusions nearly invisible to the naked eye.

Researchers from the University of Jena used synchrotron micro computed tomography at the German Electron Synchrotron (DESY) in Hamburg. This advanced imaging technique created detailed three-dimensional images of the fossils. The scans revealed three insects: a fungus gnat, a black fly, and the ancient ant.

The ant specimen was exceptionally well-preserved. Scientists observed fine body hairs and internal skeletal structures within the head and thorax. This level of detail had not been previously documented for this species. The research team created a complete digital reconstruction of the fossil, which is available online for other researchers.

Comparisons with the modern ant genus *Liometopum* suggest the ancient ants likely built large nests in trees. This behavior may explain why they are frequently preserved in amber. Goethe's collection, now managed by the Klassik Stiftung Weimar, contains 40 pieces of Baltic amber.

Goethe himself showed limited interest in the amber beyond its optical properties. He used fossilized resin to grind lenses for his studies on color theory. However, the current discoveries highlight the ongoing scientific value of historical collections. Modern imaging techniques allow new insights from objects collected centuries ago.