Complex Life on Earth Might Have Emerged 1.5 Billion Years Earlier Than Thought

A recent study has put forward a fascinating new theory, suggesting that complex life forms might have existed on Earth much earlier than we previously thought. While the long-held belief has been that such life emerged around 635 million years ago, this research indicates that it could have appeared over a billion years earlier.

The study, which was published in Precambrian Research, was conducted by a team of scientists from Cardiff University and other institutions. They uncovered intriguing evidence in marine sedimentary rocks from the Franceville Basin in Gabon, Central Africa. These rocks, dated to 2.1 billion years ago, appear to be remnants of an underwater volcanic event triggered by the collision of two ancient landmasses, known as cratons.

Complex life forms existed 1.5 billion years earlier than previously believed, study finds https://t.co/rlWlllbm4V via @Yahoo

— Gregg Toney (@gatgman) July 30, 2024

Dr. Ernest Chi Fru, the lead author of the study, explained that phosphorus, a key nutrient for life, might have been abundant in this environment. This could have spurred the development of more complex life forms from simpler single-celled organisms. “Phosphorus availability is crucial for the evolution of life on Earth, especially in the shift from simple to complex organisms,” he noted.

The researchers propose that this environment may have fostered the growth of cyanobacteria, organisms capable of photosynthesis, which could have created a rich food supply. This, in turn, might have allowed for the emergence of larger and more complex life forms.

However, these early complex organisms did not spread beyond their localized environment. The study suggests a “two-step” evolutionary process, where this initial burst of complex life did not take off globally, possibly due to the restricted nature of their underwater habitat. These organisms eventually disappeared, but the groundwork they laid may have paved the way for the more successful diversification of life forms that followed later.

Complex life forms may have originated 1.5 billion years earlier than thought, and then all died out https://t.co/CnGiOS64k8 pic.twitter.com/MWulB32QrV

— Andrew Ducker (@andrewducker) July 30, 2024

This new perspective on the origins of complex life could help answer longstanding questions about the early evolution of life on our planet. It challenges the traditional timeline and opens up new possibilities for understanding how life evolved.

Key Points:

• New research suggests complex life on Earth may have emerged over a billion years earlier than previously believed, around 2.1 billion years ago.
• Evidence from marine sedimentary rocks in the Franceville Basin, Gabon, points to early complex life forms linked to underwater volcanic activity.
• The study proposes a “two-step” evolutionary process, with an initial attempt at complex life that did not spread globally due to habitat restrictions.
• The presence of phosphorus in the environment is highlighted as crucial for the evolution from simple to complex organisms.
• The findings may explain the origins of large macroorganism fossils from this period, providing new insights into early life on Earth.

Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News