3 ms·

Some analysis: https://www.sciencealert.com/traces-of-extraterrestrial-organic-matter-discovered-in-south-african-mountains https://www.sciencealert.com/traces-

• joe_the_user 7y ago
  Still scanning but I think one must keep in mind the distinction between "organic matter" and "biological matter", organic is a broad category that involving a complex array of chemicals that aren't necessarily generated by living things. Biological material or similar terms refer to stuff that definitely is or was once alive. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_matter https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_matter https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biogenic_substance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biogenic_substance
  • anthony_romeo 7y ago
    I think the paper stated that the organic matter was similar to those found in some Archaean fossils in the area and other parts of the world, so it seems to be an interesting find Of course it’s all too easy for a layman such as myself to read too deeply into things and draw unfounded conclusions about the origins of life. And if I recall, the rock is newer than the oldest known fossils, so I’ll keep a little distance on that conclusion for now But it was pleasant to read about the earliest known fossils, so that’ll be my current takeaway on this