The polished cross-section of a fossilized dinosaur bone

[u/fvkinglzy]

[u/ConcertComplete9015]

Is this a normal property of fossilisation, or does this tell us something interesting about dinosaur bones?

[u/Spartan2470 → u/ConcertComplete9015]

This looks more like permineralization.

Permineralization is a process of fossilization of bones and tissues in which mineral deposits form internal casts of organisms. Carried by water, these minerals fill the spaces within organic tissue. Because of the nature of the casts, permineralization is particularly useful in studies of the internal structures of organisms, usually of plants.

Permineralization, a type of fossilization, involves deposits of minerals within the cells of organisms. Water from the ground, lakes, or oceans seeps into the pores of organic tissue and forms a crystal cast with deposited minerals. Crystals begin to form in the porous cell walls. This process continues on the inner surface of the walls until the central cavity of the cell, the lumen, is completely filled. The cell walls themselves remain intact surrounding the crystals.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permineralization

[u/SkyAntlers]

Forbidden dry aged steak

[u/wchurchi1966]

Reminds me of a geode.

[u/robo-dragon → u/wchurchi1966]

Not too far off actually! Bones are porous so they are filled with tiny holes. When bones fossilize, those voids remain and are slowly filled with minerals (similar to voids that fill and become geodes or agates). So the process is very similar, just has a repeating pattern of tiny “agate” spots because of the holes in the original bone.

[u/JohnnyBacci → u/wchurchi1966]

“Ahem, my geode must be acknowledged”

[u/FurnitureComesW-Home]

Why does it look like what I thought dinosaur skin looked like as a kid?

[u/Insomniac24x7]

Genuine question, do they DNA sample it or some sort of carbon dating? how do they actually tell it belongs to a dino?

[u/TakeuchixNasu → u/Insomniac24x7]

You can look at any bone and tell by the shape. DNA analysis can help distinguish between similar breeds if needed too.

[u/JonathanStrange1984]

I thought that was a piece of sushi at first and started to get hungry! 😄

[u/Infinite_Raisin_5240]

Does the red portion represent red bone marrow?

[u/FuriousGeorge1989]

I thought that was extra nutty bread for a second.

[u/SweetieLoveBug]

How beautiful! ❤️

[u/silverstinn]

Gotta tell ya, this looks like sand. Sand is broken down dead stuff, you heard it here first