How old is the earliest trace of life on Earth?

The article discusses the ongoing debate surrounding the age of the earliest traces of life on Earth. It highlights a recent conference where scientists raised doubts about the commonly accepted age of the oldest known signs of life. According to the article, the earliest evidence of life on Earth is believed to be stromatolites, which are layered rock structures created by ancient microbial communities. The age of these stromatolites has been a subject of intense scientific scrutiny, with some researchers suggesting they could be as old as 3.7 billion years. However, the article notes that at the recent conference, some scientists expressed skepticism about this age, arguing that the evidence is not conclusive. They suggest that the true age of the earliest life on Earth may be younger than previously thought. The article emphasizes that the debate is ongoing, and further research is needed to determine the precise age of the earliest signs of life on our planet. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for our understanding of the origins of life on Earth.