Science

Dinosaur blood—oldest discovery rewrites what fossils can reveal about the past

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Briefings

An international team led by Curtin University has identified unequivocal fossilized red blood cells and collagen amino acids in a deep-time specimen, marking the first clear evidence of molecular preservation in ancient fossils. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the limits of fossilization and suggests that specific conditions could allow biological molecules to survive for millions of years.

Key points

• A team led by Curtin University identified fossilized red blood cells and collagen amino acids in a deep-time specimen.
• This represents the first unequivocal evidence of molecular preservation in ancient fossils, challenging previous assumptions about fossilization limits.

Context

This finding is significant for paleontology as it provides the first clear evidence of molecular preservation in ancient fossils, challenging previous assumptions about fossilization limits.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to a single specimen; specific geological conditions for preservation remain unquantified; no dates or locations are provided for the fossil itself.

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