Chemically confirmed blood traces found in 115-million-year-old dinosaur bones
Scientists have identified chemically confirmed traces of blood in dinosaur bones estimated to be 115 million years old. The finding challenges assumptions about how long biological molecules can remain detectable after organisms are buried and fossilized.
The preservation was described as extraordinary, but researchers say the traces could offer a new way to investigate dinosaur physiology. The chemical signatures may also help scientists develop methods for identifying preserved biological evidence in extraterrestrial samples, potentially supporting searches for ancient life elsewhere in the universe.
The available report does not detail the dinosaur species, the analytical techniques used, or how the researchers ruled out contamination. Those details would be important for assessing how broadly the result can be applied.