Canadian Geologist Discovers Evidence of Ancient Organisms

If you're going to "Blame Canada", blame it for some of the most exciting scientific research in recent decades.

Mere months after 20-somethings from McMaster University in Hamilton, ON won acclaim for their "CPR Glove", a professor at the University of Western Ontario in London is now being credited for a major discovery. According to the London Free Press, geologist Neil Banerjee has stumbled upon evidence of life some 3.35 billion -- yes, billion -- years ago.

The finding surrounds a series of fossilized tunnels in Australia. The pathways were carved a very, very long time ago by microbes, a form of bacteria.

Scientists estimate that the planet earth was created 4.5 billion years ago, placing Banerjee's little critters right near the beginning. It's a startling new discovery of life, especially considering that most experts have pinpointed human existence to a period just a few million years ago. (Source: cbc.ca)

Although Australia has the benefit of calling the new landmark home, the fossilized tunnels were initially found by Banerjee and his team during an examination of volcanic rock on the continent. Rounding out the Canadian personnel responsible for the find were scientists at the University of Alberta, who dated the tiny organisms.

The next step for Banerjee, interestingly enough, might involve Earth's famous neighbor. The volcanic rock housing the microbes are similar to those found on the red planet, leading Banerjee to speculate, "This might help us in guiding missions to Mars to look for life". (Source: lfpress.ca)