Palaeontological Society of Southern Africa
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The Barberton Greenstone Belt in South Africa is a geological unit that dates back to the Archean Eon, over 3 billion years ago. It is one of the oldest and most well-preserved rock sequences on Earth, containing a wealth of information about the planet's early history, including the early evolution of life attracting local and international researchers and geo-eco-tourists. 

One of the most remarkable features of the Barberton Greenstone Belt is the abundance of stromatolites, which are layered rock formations formed by colonies of microorganisms such as cyanobacteria. These stromatolites provide evidence of some of the earliest life forms on Earth, dating back over 3 billion years.

In addition to stromatolites, the Barberton Greenstone Belt also contains other evidence of ancient life, including algal mat sedimentary structures, microfossil filaments, spheres, and other shapes that may represent different types of ancient bacteria and archaea. These microfossils provide clues about the early evolution of life on Earth. 

Overall, the Barberton Greenstone Belt is a fascinating and globally important site for understanding the evolution of life on Earth and the conditions that existed during its earliest stages. 
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Palaeontological Society of Southern Africa

PalaeoShwe art by Sciism & Puppet Planet © 2022

Contact us here:

  • About PSSA
    • Mission statement
    • Executive Committee
    • Past Presidents
    • History
    • Constitution
    • Code of Conduct
    • Partner Institutions
  • Society News
    • PalBlog
    • PalNews Archive
    • Past Conferences
    • Conference Awards
  • Palaeotourism
  • Palaeontologia africana
  • Members
    • Types of Membership
    • Current Members
  • Heritage and Impact
    • Heritage Information