When did life on Earth start? Surprisingly early in our planet’s historical past

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The oldest identified piece of Earth? A 4.4 billion-year-old zircon

John Valley, College of Wisconsin-Madison

Till lately, many discounted the concept life might have existed on Earth earlier than 3.8 billion years in the past as a result of it was thought that heavy pummelling from asteroids would have made this unattainable. However a number of traces of proof are pointing to an earlier origin of life, and as we start to query whether or not the late heavy bombardment actually occurred in any respect, it’s starting to appear like life began surprisingly early in our planet’s historical past.

The earliest fossil proof – round 3.5 billion years in the past

Though…

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