Researchers have published a ground breaking discovery that resolves an evolutionary controversy running for quite some time. They found the oldest fossils are actually peculiarly shaped minerals.

Researchers from the University of Bristol, the University of Oxford, and the University of Western Australia have analyzed the world-famous rocks that are reportedly 3.46 billion years old.

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Analysis of these rocks revealed that many of these fossils do not compare with that of relatively younger fossils. Instead, they have the character of peculiarly shaped minerals.

The fossil in question is known as the 'Apex chert microfossils.' Since its discovery in 1993 by US scientist Bill Schopf, it's now identified as the earliest evidence for Earthly life.

Due to the limitations of technology, the controversy of the 'Apex microfossil' has been hard to resolve.

With the rise of new high-spatial resolution data, however, the research team clearly demonstrated the microfossil consists of stacks of plate-like clay minerals set-up in branched chains that resemble a tapered worm.

The mistakes made on analyzing the microfossil was due to carbon being absorbed onto the edged of the mineral during the circulation of hypothermal fluids. This gives a false impression of carbon-rich structures that look like cell walls.

Dr. Wacey, the head of the research team, stated the distribution of carbon isn't commonly seen in authentic microfossils.

The biggest difference of the 'Apex chert microfossil' is that it does not have evidence of rounded and coherent cell walls. Instead, it has, "incoherent spiky morphology, evidently formed by filaments of clay crystals coated with iron and carbon."

Wacey's partner, the late Professor Brasier, commented their research should now provide some closure for the 'Apex microfossil' debate.

He also adds their research serves to refine the questions and techniques that can be used to identify life in space.

TagsApex microfossil, apex chert microfossils, minerals, Controversy