[Rockhounds] Paleontology Shaken: Organic Molecules Found in 66-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Bones

[Kreigh Tomaszewski]

For years, scientists widely believed that the fossilization process
destroyed all original organic molecules, leaving fossils devoid of their
original biological material.

However, a groundbreaking study led by the University of Liverpool
<https://scitechdaily.com/tag/university-of-liverpool/> has provided strong
evidence that Mesozoic fossils, including dinosaur bones and teeth, still
contain preserved organic materials.

Using advanced mass spectrometry and other analytical techniques,
researchers detected remnants of collagen in the hip bone of an
Edmontosaurus, a duck-billed dinosaur. This discovery helps settle a
long-standing debate that has persisted for over 30 years.

The study, published in the journal *Analytical Chemistry*, used several
techniques, including protein sequencing, to detect and characterize bone
collagen in the 22-kilogram fossil. The fossil is an exceptionally
well-preserved Edmontosaurus sacrum excavated from Upper Cretaceous strata
of the South Dakota Hell Creek Formation. It is part of the University of
Liverpool’s collections and offers a unique opportunity for cutting-edge
analyses.

https://scitechdaily.com/paleontology-shaken-organic-molecules-found-in-66-million-year-old-dinosaur-bones/