Remnants of life in ancient rocks reveal Earth had a rich ecosystem 3.4 billion years ago

Mon, 01/22/2024 - 07:45

Rocky mountains are shown rolling to the distance in the Barbeston Natural reserve where the fossils were found. — A picture of the Barbeston Natural reserve which is where the ancient fossils were found.
WIKUS DE WET/AFP via Getty Image

Scientists have managed to extract evidence from an ancient fossil of early life on Earth.
Rock in South Africa is thought to contain some of the oldest known fossils in the world.
Studying these samples can reveal clues about life on Earth over 3.4 billion years ago.

Earth may have been teeming with a complex ecosystem of microorganisms as far back as 3.4 billion years ago.

Scientists, led by the University of Göttingen in Germany, studied fossils taken from the Buck Reef Chert in the Barberton Greenstone Belt in South Africa.