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Incredible discovery of fossilized blood cells inside a dinosaur leg bone

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 02/11/2026, 20:13:24 UTC.

Briefings

A 2026 study reported the discovery of mineralized red blood cells within a theropod dinosaur's leg bone, dated to approximately 115 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. This finding suggests the dinosaur may have left behind more than just a mould of its bones, potentially preserving cellular structures that were previously thought to be lost. The discovery challenges previous assumptions about the preservation of soft tissues in ancient fossils.

Key points

• A theropod dinosaur's leg bone was found to contain mineralized red blood cells.
• The fossil dates to approximately 115 million years ago during the Cretaceous period.

Context

This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the preservation of soft tissues in ancient fossils, suggesting the dinosaur may have left behind more than just a mould of its bones.

Limitations

The evidence is limited to a single study reporting this specific discovery. No additional background on the study's methodology, sample size, or broader fossil record context is supplied. The findings remain preliminary as they are based on a single study.

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