Yes they look like sealant but I'm trying to imagine how they have got there? Wouldn't rings like that only be formed around the bolt in the sump holes when it's tightened up.
Yes. That’s the flaw in my thinking. Can’t imagine what else they could be. Too small to be from valve stem seals.
Maybe they fell off and in when I reopened it back in March when my torque wrench let me down.