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posted 18. July 2005 15:46
Science April 15
Life on the Early Earth: A Sedimentary View
Frances Westall
Introduction
Fifty years after the discovery of fossil microorganisms in 2-billion-year-old rocks from the Gunflint Formation in Ontario (1), Canada, there is renewed interest in the history of life on the early Earth. This resurgence of interest is in part due to the burgeoning field of astrobiology and the recognition of the importance of studying Earth's early environment and seeking life on other planets. Such renewed interest necessitates a better understanding of the problems surrounding the identification of very ancient traces of life and the development of more sophisticated methods of investigation. Resolution of such problems is crucial if we are to obtain reliable evidence for traces of life on other planets, such as Mars, with any reasonable degree of certainty.
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