Posted on 07/31/2021 10:17:36 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Soft tissues that make up brains are very prone to rapid decay, Bicknell said. "In order for them to be preserved, either very special geological conditions, or amber, are needed."
In this case, geology helped to keep the soft tissue in tip-top condition over the years and preserve the brain — or at least a copy of the brain. "We have a mold of the brain, not the brain itself, so to speak," Bicknell said.
The deposits at Mazon Creek are made of an iron carbonate mineral called siderite, which forms concretions — mineral precipitations — that can quickly encase a dead body and fossilize it. Although such concretions preserved the horseshoe crab's body, the brain tissue still decomposed and eventually disappeared. However, as the brain rotted away it was replaced by a clay mineral called kaolinite, which created a cast of the brain.
Kaolite is white in color, whereas siderite is dark gray. This color contrast meant the brain fossil "stood out more than it would have normally" from the rest of the fossil, Bicknell said.
The hunt is now on for more ancient brains that might have been fossilized in the unique geological conditions that preserved this horseshoe crab.
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
Biden’s?
GMTA... was about to hop in with the exact same comment
“..Biden’s?...”
Naaa...it’s waaayy too intelligent and functioning to be his.
Abby Normal
One of nanzi’s old contraceptive sponges.
Now this should be good to watch.
Have at it boys!
Over 300 million years old but remarkably similar to current horseshoe crab brains. Another straw on the camels back of evolution.
There’s an even older one at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, right now.
Nope, AOC.
perfectly preserved and fossilized are mutually exclusive conditions if you plan on eating one and not refrigerating the other.
The problem is the brain was a registered Democrat in 17 states.
Did they finally find Einsteins brain... wait... nevermind.
Biden’s brain is composed of sidewrong, not siderite.
*GAG* !!!
You gotta be fast around here...
Common, man! It says perfectly preserved.
That 10,000 year-old-brain is obviously not holding up to well if it looks like it is 310-million years old.
It’s like me at 67 going somewhere with my 83-year-old mom and being asked if she is my wife. I’m apparently not holding up to well either, so I know how you feel there, brain. May I call you Brian?
PING
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