# 52: The Thing in the Ice

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/bedrock-earth-s-earliest-history-4890111/52-the-thing-in-the-ice
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/bedrock-earth-s-earliest-history-4890111/52-the-thing-in-the-ice.md
Podcast: [Bedrock: Earth's Earliest History](https://stenobird.com/podcast/bedrock-earth-s-earliest-history-4890111)
Published: 2026-01-08T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://bedrock.captivate.fm/episode/52-the-thing-in-the-ice
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/e2c00328-939d-47fc-8f0a-b5d39e49c6b9.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/bedrock-earth-s-earliest-history-4890111/episodes/52-the-thing-in-the-ice
Duration seconds: 2719

## Resource

Until now, all the clues for ancient life have been microscopic, beyond the realm of sight. Today, that begins to change. Ten years ago, a team of scientists showed the world a weird, lumpy rock that they claimed was the oldest microbial colony. Like a sci-fi movie, this specimen was found under melting ice in the high Arctic, unveiled from 3.7 billion years ago. But is it actually a fossil? Welcome to the debate that has defined my corner of geology. Extra Credit: Check your house for hard water damage, or watch The Thing (1982). Want bonus content? Check out the Patreon!

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## Transcript

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