Oldest life on Earth traced to land
Scientists have found exceptionally preserved microbial remains in some of Earth’s oldest rocks in Western Australia – a major advance in the field, offering clues for how life on Earth originated. The UNSW researchers found the organic matter in stromatolites – fossilized microbial structures – from the ancient Dresser Formation in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Stromatolites Contain Evidence of Ancient Life
The stromatolites have been thought to be of biogenic origin ever since they were discovered in the 1980s. However, despite strong textural evidence, that theory was unproven for nearly four decades, because scientists had not been able to show the definitive presence of preserved organic matter remains – until today’s publication in the journal Geology.
“This is an exciting discovery – for the first time, we’re able to show the world that these stromatolites are definitive evidence for the earliest life on Earth,” says lead researcher Dr. Raphael Baumgartner, a research associate of the Australian Centre for Astrobiology in Professor Martin Van Kranendonk’s team at UNSW.
You may be interested

Coronavirus Greece: 2,215 new cases, 451 intubated, 32 deaths
makis - Mar 05, 2021Greece announced that the new laboratory-confirmed cases of coronavirus recorded in the last 24 hours are 2,215, of which 15…

Great city routes to explore on foot in Athens
Panos - Mar 05, 2021Athens reveals its best charms to those who put one foot in front of the other! Whether you’re looking to…

Jerusalem Post: Turkey tries insulting Egypt, Greece in imaginary maritime deal – Analysis
Panos - Mar 05, 2021Turkey has invented a new “reconciliation,” after attempts to spread propaganda stories of “reconciliation” with Israel failed last year. In…