Fossilised Red Blood Cells Found in 115-Million-Year-Old Aratasaurus Bone in Brazil, Scientists Say

Scientists analysing a 115-million-year-old dinosaur bone from Brazil say they have found evidence of fossilised red blood cells and traces of heme, the compound that gives blood its red colour. The discovery, from the hind leg of a small carnivorous dinosaur called Aratasaurus, could reshape our understanding of how soft tissues are preserved over geological time. Researchers used chemical tests to identify the presence of heme, which is crucial for oxygen transport in living organisms. The findings suggest that organic molecules can survive for tens of millions of years under the right conditions. This has significant implications for palaeontology, as it opens the door to studying the biology of extinct species in unprecedented detail. The Aratasaurus lived in what is now north-eastern Brazil during the Cretaceous period. While the discovery may evoke comparisons to Jurassic Park, scientists caution that the preservation of such molecules does not mean DNA is recoverable. Nevertheless, the study highlights the potential for future breakthroughs in dinosaur physiology. As techniques improve, more ancient proteins and pigments may be uncovered from fossils worldwide.