Approximately How Far Back in Time Does the Fossil Record

Question

Approximately how far back in time does the fossil record extend?
A) 3.5 million years
B) 5.0 million years
C) 3.5 billion years
D) 5.0 billion years

Accepted Answer

The fossil record extends back approximately 3.5 billion years, which is the age of the oldest known stromatolite fossils. Fossils from organisms with hard shells, bones, or other body parts can be found in rocks that are a few hundred million years old, while more recent fossils can be found in rocks that are only a few thousand years old.