Introduction: Despite an extensive published literature, skepticism over the claim of original biochemicals including proteins preserved in the fossil record persists and the issue remains controversial. Workers using many different techniques including mass spectrometry, X-ray, electron microscopy and optical spectroscopic techniques, have attempted to verify proteinaceous or other biochemicals that appear endogenous to fossils found throughout the geologic column.

Areas covered: This paper presents a review of the relevant literature published over the last 50 years. A comparative survey of the reported techniques used is also given.

Expert opinion: Morphological and molecular investigations show that original biochemistry is geologically extensive, geographically global, and taxonomically wide-ranging. The survival of endogenous organics in fossils remains the subject of widespread and increasing research investigation.

简介：尽管有大量已发表的文献，但人们对原始生物化学物质（包括化石记录中保存的蛋白质）声称的怀疑态度仍然存在，这个问题仍然存在争议。工人使用许多不同的技术，包括质谱法，X射线，电子显微镜和光谱技术，试图验证在整个地质柱中发现的化石均是内生的蛋白质或其他生物化学物质。

涵盖领域：本文介绍了过去50年中发表的相关文献。还对所使用的报告技术进行了比较调查。

专家意见：形态和分子研究表明，原始生物化学在地质上是广泛的，在地理上是全球性的，并且在分类上是广泛的。化石中内源性有机物的生存仍然是广泛且不断增加的研究调查的主题。