Abiotic formation of organic biomorphs under diagenetic conditions

The most ancient fossil record contains fundamentally important information on both the diversity and disparity of life. Yet this is not that easy to decode, due difficulties mainly pertaining impact geological history. Thus, convergence multiple lines evidence seen as necessary build a robust demonstration biogenicity putative traces Yet, we experimentally show here abiotic organic cell-like microstructures meeting all criteria may form in cherts under classical conditions diagenesis. These biomorphs produced from mixture RNA quartz water exposed temperature pressure (200°C, ∼15 bars) exhibit morphological, chemical isotopic signatures typical microfossils. results study exemplify pitfalls Archean palaeontologists encounter when searching for life rocks.