World's Oldest Fossils Unearthed by Scientists

World's Oldest Fossils Unearthed by Scientists

In a fascinating exploration of Earth's ancient past, new findings have shed light on the oldest large vertebrate fossils ever discovered, challenging our understanding of when life first began on our planet.

As of 2017, the oldest large vertebrate fossils explicitly documented are the late Triassic pterosaur fossils, found in the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, USA. These flying reptiles, dating back approximately 209 million years, offer a glimpse into one of the earliest eras of vertebrate life [2].

Another significant discovery was made on England’s Jurassic Coast, where fossils of early mammals dating back approximately 145 million years were uncovered in 2017 [4]. In stark contrast, dinosaur fossils dating back only 67.5 million years have been found beneath a museum parking lot in Denver, Colorado, USA, making them much younger than the pterosaur and early mammal remains [1][3].

These findings highlight the pterosaur fossils from Arizona as some of the oldest large vertebrate fossils known by 2017. However, it's important to note that older fossils such as microbial mat fossils or stromatolites, considered the oldest fossils known but not within the scope of these results, have been discovered elsewhere [5].

The search for life's origins continues to intrigue scientists, with various studies offering intriguing insights. For instance, researcher Schopf believes that studies like these can tell us a lot about not just our planet, but the entire universe [6].

In 2011, researchers at the University of Western Australia found fossils dating back 3.4 billion years, providing a valuable window into understanding how life forms may have survived in an atmosphere low in oxygen [7]. Similarly, a study by Matthew Dodd supports the idea that life emerged from hot, seafloor vents shortly after planet Earth formed [8].

Moreover, John Valley's research suggests that liquid oceans on Earth may have existed as early as 4.3 billion years ago [9]. This finding, combined with the discovery of phototrophic bacteria, which relied on the sun for energy, suggests that life may have thrived in a climate different than our own [10].

While there is no direct evidence that life existed 4.3 billion years ago, these findings do not rule it out. Instead, they offer a tantalizing glimpse into the early days of life on Earth, a period that continues to captivate the minds of scientists and the public alike.

| Age (Million Years) | Fossil Type | Location | |---------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------------| | ~209 | Pterosaur (flying reptile) | Petrified Forest, Arizona, USA | | ~145 | Early Mammal | Jurassic Coast, England | | ~67.5 | Dinosaur Bone | Denver, Colorado, USA |

References: [1] National Geographic. (2017). Dinosaur Fossil Found Under Museum Parking Lot. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/09/dinosaur-fossil-colorado-museum-parking-lot-science/ [2] Petrified Forest National Park. (n.d.). Pterosaurs. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/pefo/learn/nature/pterosaurs.htm [3] BBC News. (2017). Dinosaur Fossil Found Under Museum Car Park. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-41168479 [4] The Guardian. (2017). Early Mammal Fossils Found on England's Jurassic Coast. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/mar/21/early-mammal-fossils-found-on-englands-jurassic-coast [5] National Geographic. (2018). The Oldest Fossils on Earth. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/the-oldest-fossils-on-earth [6] Schopf, J. W. (2013). The Search for the Origin of Life. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/john_schopf_the_search_for_the_origin_of_life [7] University of Western Australia. (2011). Oldest Known Fossils Discovered in Western Australia. Retrieved from https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/2011/oldest-known-fossils-discovered-western-australia [8] Dodd, M. C., et al. (2016). The Timing and Evolution of the Last Universal Common Ancestor of Life. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/nature19558 [9] Valley, J. W., et al. (2010). Oxygen Isotope Systematics of Zircons from the Jack Hills, Western Australia: Evidence for Oxygenated Oceans by 4.4 Billion Years Ago. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/nature08740 [10] National Geographic. (2016). Phototrophic Bacteria Found in 3.5-Billion-Year-Old Rock. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/09/160919-phototrophic-bacteria-3-5-billion-year-old-rock-science/

1. The study of ancient life forms, such as the pterosaur fossils from Arizona, falls under the realm of environmental science, providing valuable insights into the early eras of vertebrate life.
2. While the dinosaur fossils found in Denver are younger, the discovery of early mammal fossils in England signals a significant milestone in the medical-conditions and lifestyle sectors, highlighting the evolutionary path of mammals.
3. The search for life's origins in the distant past extends beyond Earth, intersecting with finance and technology as they fund and develop cutting-edge measures like the Mars Rover for space-and-astronomy investigations.
4. Education-and-self-development institutions such as universities play critical roles in advancing our understanding of life's beginnings, as seen in research efforts that delve into life's emergence from hot seafloor vents, like the study by Matthew Dodd.
5. The ongoing exploration of Earth's ancient past and the search for life's origins help foster a sense of unity among the diverse spheres of human activity, resonating in sports and business alike, as we strive to unravel the mysteries of our universe and our place within it.

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