📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / NASA, ESA, and J. Lotz (STScI)
Science
3.5-billion-year-old rock unearthed in Jharkhand could contain earliest evidence of life
✍️ Business Standard
🗓 21 Aug 2026, 09:19 AM
👁 2
Geologists have uncovered a 3.5‑billion‑year‑old rock in Jharkhand that may hold the oldest known signs of life on Earth, Business Standard reports.
Geologists working in the mineral‑rich state of Jharkhand have reported the discovery of a rock that dates back roughly 3.5 billion years, placing it in the Archean eon. The specimen was retrieved during routine field surveys and its age was confirmed through radiometric dating techniques.
Preliminary analyses suggest that the rock may contain micro‑structures or chemical signatures that are consistent with the earliest forms of life on the planet. If verified, these findings could push back the timeline for the emergence of biological activity by several hundred million years.
Scientists are now conducting detailed microscopy and isotopic studies to ascertain whether the observed features are indeed biogenic. The research community has expressed keen interest, noting that such ancient evidence could reshape current models of early Earth evolution.
The discovery was first reported by Business Standard, highlighting its potential impact on both regional geology and the broader field of astrobiology. Further peer‑reviewed publications are expected as the investigation progresses.
Preliminary analyses suggest that the rock may contain micro‑structures or chemical signatures that are consistent with the earliest forms of life on the planet. If verified, these findings could push back the timeline for the emergence of biological activity by several hundred million years.
Scientists are now conducting detailed microscopy and isotopic studies to ascertain whether the observed features are indeed biogenic. The research community has expressed keen interest, noting that such ancient evidence could reshape current models of early Earth evolution.
The discovery was first reported by Business Standard, highlighting its potential impact on both regional geology and the broader field of astrobiology. Further peer‑reviewed publications are expected as the investigation progresses.