The Milky Way galaxy really is that old. There are at least millions of stars (red dwarfs) in the Milky Way, probably most with planets, fully that old. Some of

The Milky Way galaxy really is that old. There are at least millions of stars (red dwarfs) in the Milky Way, probably most with planets, fully that old. Some of those could easily be covered with life nearly that old. And, probably way more black holes that old, many (co-)orbiting those red dwarfs. That is not to say our galaxy had its present form, then; a bunch of galaxies merged to make ... well, what we are in. (Ownership would be wrong to claim.) It is really just our own sun that is new. Ish. That many billions of years is time for a very great deal of evolution. But, also of exposure to such existential risks as nearby supernovas and magnetar starquakes that could sterilize a whole planet down to the mantle. A galaxy is a dangerous place even without alien invasions. So, lots of Pompeiis covering the full spectrum of stages. But given time, life could arise again, wholly new, after.