For many years, it was widely believed that fossils no longer contained their original organic molecules as the fossilisation process was thought to destroy them.
However, a groundbreaking study, led by the University of Liverpool, has revealed strong evidence that Mesozoic fossils, including dinosaur bones and teeth, still preserve these original organic materials.
Using advanced mass spectrometry and other techniques, researchers identified preserved collagen remnants in the hip bone of an Edmontosaurus , a duck-billed dinosaur, helping to resolve a debate that has spanned three decades.
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 offered a unique opportunity for cutting-edge analyses.
Key Findings and implications
Professor Steve Taylor, chair of the Mass Spectrometry Research Group at the University of Liverpool’s Department of Electrical Engineering & Electronics, said:
“This research shows beyond doubt that organic biomolecules, such as proteins like collagen, appear to be present in some fossils.
“Our results have far-reaching implications. Firstly, it refutes the hypothesis that any organics found in fossils must result from contamination.
“Secondly, it suggests that cross-polarized light microscopy images of fossil bones, collected for a century, should be revisited. These images may reveal intact patches of bone collagen, potentially offering a ready-made trove of fossil candidates for further protein analysis. This could unlock new insights into dinosaurs-- for example revealing connections between dinosaur species that remain unknown.
“Lastly, the findings inform the intriguing mystery of how these proteins have managed to persist in fossils for so long.”
The research not only appears to resolve a long-standing scientific debate but also opens further avenues for studying ancient life, offering a glimpse into the biochemical preservation of fossils of extinct creatures.
Collaboration across disciplines
The study brought together experts from multiple disciplines:
The paper ` Evidence for Endogenous Collagen in Edmontosaurus Fossil Bone (doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c03115 ) is published in the journal Analytical Chemistry .
Analytical Chemistry
Evidence for Endogenous Collagen in Edmontosaurus Fossil Bone
17-Jan-2025