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Ancient Dinosaur Fossil Yields Preserved Red Blood Cells

Published 1h ago · Discovery

Affects Brazil · Covered in 3 countries

AI summary39s readPositive

Scientists discovered preserved red blood cells and heme in a 115-million-year-old Brazilian dinosaur bone.

Researchers analyzing hind leg bones from an Aratasaurus discovered in Brazil have identified fossilized red blood cells. Chemical testing revealed traces of heme, the oxygen-carrying molecule found in blood. This finding contributes to the growing body of research regarding the survival of soft tissues in ancient fossils.

The organismScientists examined the remains of a small carnivorous dinosaur that inhabited modern-day north-eastern Brazil.
The timeframeThe fossil dates back 115 million years to the prehistoric era.
The chemical findingAdvanced tests confirmed the presence of iron-carrying molecules responsible for transporting oxygen.

Why it matters

Discoveries of preserved soft tissue and organic molecules in ancient fossils challenge long-held assumptions about how organic matter degrades over millions of years. Such findings provide researchers with unprecedented insights into the biology, physiology, and evolutionary history of prehistoric creatures.

By the numbers1

115 yrsmillion years old

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