New study shows evolution of complex life may have happened twice

CGTN Europe

Was their life just starting out on Earth 2.1 billion years ago?  CGTN spoke to the authors of the paper outlining these incredible findings from a 14-year-old project.  #lifeonearth #earth

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00:00A new study shows evolution of complex life may have happened more than once.

00:05Complex life on Earth may have been completely wiped out in the distant past,

00:09before re-emerging and developing into the natural world we know today.

00:12That's according to controversial new research which found indications of organisms 1.5 billion years earlier than previously thought.

00:20This study brings many answers but also many questions about the origin of life.

00:26From studying fossils in Gabon, Africa, the team found high levels of essential phosphorus and oxygen.

00:31Moments in the Earth's history where a sudden cooling led to the widespread formation of glaciers,

00:36created ideal conditions for life to emerge at least twice.

00:40The ecosystem changed completely and the life became more and more complex.

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