A 2 billion-year-old stone containing the oldest samples of living microbes has been discovered in Africa (photo)

An international team of scientists has made a sensational discovery that could rewrite our understanding of the origin of life on Earth and other planets. In the depths of South Africa, in ancient igneous rocks 2 billion years old, scientists have discovered living microorganisms.

These are the oldest samples of living microbes ever found in such ancient rocks. The study, published in the journal Microbial Ecology, confirms that life can exist in extreme conditions and for incredibly long periods of time.

The microbes living in these ancient rocks have evolved in complete isolation from the outside world and have an extremely slow metabolism, which has allowed them to survive for billions of years.

The team of researchers drilled 15 meters deep into the earth in the Bushveld magmatic complex, known for its rich ore deposits. In the rock samples taken from the depths, scientists found microbial cells densely packed in cracks.

Using special research methods, the scientists confirmed that these microbes are native to the rock sample and not contaminants.

In particular, scientists believe that similar microorganisms may exist on Mars, where rocks are several billion years old.

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