23rd Aug2011

3.4 Billion Year-Old Fossils Found in Australia

by Skibs

A joint team of researchers from the University of WA and Oxford claim to have discovered the world’s oldest fossil’s, preserved from 3.4 billion years ago.These microscopic fossils of sulfer-based bacteria were found at Strelley Pool near Port Headland.

“At last we have good solid evidence for life over 3.4 billion years ago. It confirms there were bacteria at this time, living without oxygen.[…] Such bacteria are still common today. Sulphur bacteria are found in smelly ditches, soil, hot springs, hydrothermal vents — anywhere where there’s little free oxygen and they can live off organic matter,” said Professor Martin Brasier from Oxford University.

[Source: News.com.au]