3.5-billion-year-old traces of life discovered in India

Scientists in India have discovered one of the oldest traces of microbial life on Earth, TodayPress TV reports.

A rock approximately 3.5 billion years old was found in the Singhbhum Craton.

Thin layers of carbon and silica resembling microbial mats produced by ancient microorganisms were discovered in the rock. Studies found that the carbon isotopes are characteristic of biological processes and that traces of organic matter are present.

According to the scientists, these findings suggest that the carbon may be of biological origin. If the discovery is confirmed by further research, the rock could be considered the oldest directly dated rock in which traces of life have been identified.

However, the researchers say that independent verification of the findings is essential. Other scientists have not yet confirmed that the traces in the rock are definitively of biological origin.

Turkan Iskandarli