Triceratops frill blood grooves

[Daze]

This piece of Triceratops frill is on its way to me and I was wondering about the darker residue you can see in the blood grooves. Is this just sand/sediment/matrix or could it be petrified remains of the blood vessels/veins? I'm just wondering if that is even possible. 

 

Edited February 15, 2023 by Daze

[Troodon]

It's first Ceratopsian, no way to assign that fragment to a specific species.  The dark areas are just matrix that has not been cleaned off.   Definitely no blood I don't think it's possible

[Daze]

Thank you @Troodon, I thought so, but wanted to be sure before I start cleaning it up. 

[Mahnmut]

Hi Daze, 

although the dark stains are only matrix I would not clean them away, because they emphasize the fossils structures and add to the visual apeal. Thats a matter of choice of course.

Best Regards.

J

[Daze]

You've got a good point @Mahnmut. I was in doubt about cleaning it, first I wanted to keep it this way, then I thought cleaning out the blood grooves would 'deepen' them and emphasize them more. But it might have the opposite effect, maybe I just leave it this way.