Scientists have discovered intact collagen fragments in a 66-million-year-old Edmontosaurus fossil from South Dakota’s Hell Creek Formation, challenging the long-standing assumption that organic molecules fully degrade in fossils. The University of Liverpool team used protein sequencing and multiple mass spectrometry techniques to confirm the presence of collagen and hydroxyproline, ruling out modern contamination. Published in Analytical Chemistry in 2025, the study highlights how advanced lab methods are now capable of detecting ancient biomolecules once thought impossible to recover.

The finding builds on decades of debate in paleontology, sparked by early claims of soft tissue in dinosaur fossils like Mary Schweitzer’s 2005 Tyrannosaurus rex discovery. This new research stands out due to its multi-method verification process, strengthening the case that some fossils can preserve molecular traces over geological time. The team suggests certain mineral-bone interactions and burial conditions may have protected the collagen.

Beyond confirming survival of organic material, the discovery could unlock new insights into dinosaur growth, aging, and evolutionary relationships. Researchers believe older fossil collections may already contain visible collagen patches in archived microscope images, offering a ready-made path for further study. The Edmontosaurus specimen, known for exceptional preservation including skin impressions, may be just one of many fossils acting as molecular time capsules.