50,000-Year-Old Living Beings Found in Crystals

A number of ancient life forms that are estimated to be up to 50,000 years old are found trapped inside the crystal. The object is found in a high-temperature cave in Mexico.

According to Nasa's Chief Astrobiology Institute, Penelope Boston, a unique microbe found abandoned in the Naica Cave, Mexico, is able to live in mineral environments such as iron and manganese.

Presenting his findings at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference, Boston called it a "super life".

"This is just another illustration of how difficult it is to live on Earth," Boston said.

Boston, which revived the microbes on both sites and laboratories, plans to do more trials.

Quoted from the Independent, Sunday (2/19/2017), the research team found there are 40 types of microbes and viruses trapped in these crystals.

The Naica Cave, located in northern Chihuahua, Mexico, is a lead and zinc mine with a depth of half a mile.

Before drilling was started by mining companies, the area was completely cut off from the outside world.

The mine is so hot, so scientists who do research there should wear astronauts with lighter versions. In addition there are a number of ice packs that are placed all over his body to prevent contamination from the outside world.

Boston said his team could only work for 20 minutes before it had to cool down its body temperature in a room with a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius.

University of South Florida biologist Norine Noonan, who became a panel in a Boston presentation, said he was shocked at the discovery of living things inside the crystal.

"Why are we surprised? As a biologist I would say that life on Earth is very hard and that living beings can adapt amazingly," Noonan said.

The 50,000-year-old microbe is not the oldest form of extreme life. A few years ago, a group of scientists published a study of microbes living in ice and salt that are thought to be about half a million years old.