Polish scientists discover 250 mln years old bones with blood vessels

A team of Polish scientists recently discovered blood vessels and traces of protein in the bones of Triassic reptiles, up to 250 million years old, local media reported.

Inside the preserved blood vessels, amino acids and fragments of proteins, including collagen were found thanks to the usage of most advanced equipment. The fossilized blood vessels were preserved due to the rapid mineralization. It is the oldest material of such kind worldwide.

A team of Polish scientists from the Silesian University, Jagiellonian University, Polish Academy of Sciences and the Science Park and Human Evolution in Krasiejow described their discovery in the scientific magazine PLOS One.

The remains of Triassic reptiles, Nothosaurus and Tanystropheus came from material found in Gogolin in the Opole region, and in the district towns of Silesia, Zyglinie.

The team used advanced research methods, including the environmental scanning electron microscope, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

This discovery opens a new door for science, enabling scientists to learn more about the morphology of the prehistoric organisms. Endit