To explore potential biogenic carbonate precipitation, we studied cyanobacteria–carbonate ... lineage-specific biosignatures in fossil stromatolites from modern to Precambrian times.

For example, cyanobacteria formed large structures called stromatolites in the oceans of early Earth. Scientists have found fossil stromatolites that date back to 3.48 billion years ago.

"Our conclusions provide a clue for their evolution; microbialites and stromatolites are the oldest ... through and eat the ...