An article published in the journal “Microbial Ecology” reports the discovery of living microorganisms in rocks dating back about two billion years taken in the Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC) in South Africa. A team of researchers led by the University of Tokyo analyzed rock samples taken from about 15 meters underground in an area that constitutes one of the largest known layered igneous formations.

That area is known for the presence of precious metals but for once, the discovered treasure is in the form of microorganisms that remained isolated in a sealed fracture in the rock. They’re interesting because they have evolved very little over time and offer interesting information for the search for alien life as well, for example, on the planet Mars.