Scientists in Gabon have made a groundbreaking discovery that challenges conventional thinking about the origins of complex life on Earth. A team of researchers claim to have found evidence suggesting that animal life may have begun 1.5 billion years earlier than previously thought.
The team, led by Professor Ernest Chi Fru at Cardiff University, uncovered evidence deep within rocks in Gabon that indicates environmental conditions suitable for animal life existed 2.1 billion years ago. This discovery, if proven correct, would push back the timeline for the emergence of complex life forms significantly.
The organisms identified by the scientists were confined to an inland sea and did not spread globally, eventually dying out. The findings have sparked a debate among experts, with some questioning the validity of the research.
Professor Graham Shields at University College London expressed reservations about the study, suggesting that more evidence is needed to support the claims. However, the researchers stand by their findings, pointing to the presence of oxygen and phosphorus in the rocks as evidence of a nutrient-rich environment that could have supported life.
The discovery adds to the ongoing debate surrounding mysterious formations found in Franceville, Gabon, which some believe to be fossils. The researchers analyzed sediment cores from the rocks to gather more evidence for their theories.
PhD student Elias Rugen at the Natural History Museum supported some of the findings, noting that the chemical composition of the rocks indicated unusual activity in Earth’s history. While more research is needed to confirm the findings, the team’s work has been published in the scientific journal Precambrian Research.
The implications of this discovery are significant, as it could reshape our understanding of the processes that led to the development of complex life on Earth. Further research and analysis will be crucial in determining the validity of these groundbreaking claims.
