3.4" Stromatolite Slice - Pilbara, Australia (2.7 Billion Years)


This is a polished section of a Stromatolite from the Jerrinah Formation near Pilbara, Western Australia. These particular Stromatolites have been dated to nearly 2.7 billion years old.

Stromatolites are the layered trace fossils of microbial life, primarily cyanobacteria. Some of them date back an astounding 3.4 billion years, making them the oldest record of life on Earth! Stromatolites and Microbialites were typically formed in shallow water by the growth of layer upon layer of cyanobacteria, a single-celled, photosynthesizing microbe. These layers often form very beautiful and colorful banded structures in the rock.

These oxygen-producing cyanobacteria were so simple they lacked a DNA-packaging nucleus, but were responsible for possibly the largest changes the earth has undergone. They were the only major source of atmospheric oxygen critical for the development of more complex life.


Please note:Australia has export laws governing the export of all fossils. These specimens were exported legally with appropriate permits.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Stromatolite
LOCATION
Pilbara, Western Australia
FORMATION
Jerrinah Formation
SIZE
3.4x3.2", 1/4" Thick
CATEGORY
ITEM
#39046
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