Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by recovering ancient proteins from a fossilized rhinoceros tooth, dating back 24 million years. This finding marks a significant breakthrough in the study of ancient life on Earth and has the potential to revolutionize the field of paleoproteomics.
Researchers at the Globe Institute at the University of Copenhagen, along with colleagues at the University of York and the Canadian Museum of Nature, analyzed seven proteins preserved inside the fossilized tooth. The analysis revealed that the rhinoceros diverged from its living relatives around 41 million to 25 million years ago.
The discovery is significant because ancient DNA has been found in fossils only as far back as around 10 million years. This study demonstrates that proteins, which are more robust than DNA, can provide valuable information about a specimen’s evolutionary history, diet, and even sex.
The finding also sheds new light on the evolution of rhinoceros species, including the woolly rhinoceros and the Siberian unicorn with its gigantic horn. The researchers were able to compare their “mystery rhino” fossil with other known forms and place it in the family tree.
This study is part of a larger effort to recover proteins from fossils that are millions of years old and currently beyond the chronological reach of ancient DNA. Other research has also shown that biomolecules can survive for millions of years, even in tropical environments.
The discovery of ancient proteins in fossils holds promise for further research into the evolution of dinosaurs and other extinct species. While recovering protein information from dinosaur teeth is a long shot, scientists believe it may be possible to retrieve useful data within 10 years.
The study, published July 9 in the scientific journal Nature, showcases the enormous potential of paleoproteomics and highlights the need for further research into this field.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/15/science/ancient-protein-rhino-fossil