Scientists have made groundbreaking discoveries in palaeontology by extracting ancient proteins from fossils that are millions of years old. The breakthrough, published in Nature, could help researchers study extinct species and gain insights into their behavior, diet, and evolution.
In recent months, two separate studies have recovered ancient proteins, some dating back an astonishing 29 million years. This is a significant improvement over previous records, which were limited to fossils from around 4 million years ago.
The discovery has far-reaching implications for palaeontology, allowing scientists to investigate the habits and characteristics of animals that were previously thought too old to be studied using molecular tools. By analyzing these ancient proteins, researchers can gain valuable insights into the evolution and diversity of life on Earth.
Source: https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/07/10/ancient-proteins-could-transform-palaeontology