Abstract
The compositions of terpenoids from the solvent extracts of two silicified wood samples were analyzed using a GC/MS method. Chromatographic analysis showed that several biomolecules were preserved unaltered in the Miocene-aged Japanese wood. These were α-terpineol, α-cedrene, thujopsene, widdrol and ferruginol, among others. In addition to the bioterpenoids, the fossil woods contained a series of geoterpenoids that were generated from their biological precursors before and after burial. These were cadalene, daucalene, pseudowiddrene and cuparene. The chemical composition of both analyzed fossil samples suggest that the silicified woods collected in the Noto Peninsula belong to the Cupressaceae family; this was confirmed by morphological analysis. Both samples were identified as Taxodioxylon cunninghamioides, which is the most common Miocene wood in Japan.