Original Collagen Found in 66-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Bones

The Study at a Glance

In a study published in Nature Communications, researchers confirmed the presence of original collagen fibers in 66-million-year-old dinosaur bones. The team identified collagen type I protein fragments preserved within the bone matrix.

How It Was Found

Demineralization revealed flexible fibers with the characteristic banding pattern of type I collagen.

Why This Matters

Finding intact collagen in Cretaceous bones opens molecular paleontology as a practical field.

Bottom Line

Original collagen has been identified in 66-million-year-old dinosaur bones using multiple methods.

Source: Nature Communications, 2026