Stromatolites ~ Some of Natures Oldest Fossils

(All photos taken by @paradigm42)
Once upon a time long before any type of life crawled out of the primordial oceans and seas, New York State was at the bottom of a shallow and ancient seabed. Around 488 million years ago in the late Cambrian Period, Cyanobacteria (A type of blue-green algae) existed in this shallow sea. It is generally believed in the scientific community that mats of these primitive organisms lived on the sea floor. Over time, these organisms are believed to have created the Stromatolite fossils you see before you.

Stromatolites can be formed in limestone or dolostone. It is believed they are generally caused by the biogenic processes of the bacteria in question. In the case of this particular bacteria, it would be a rudimentary type of photosynthesis, as well as the bacteria's general decay over time that would ultimately be considered the cause.

The Stromatolites you see before you were formed in limestone. Limestone is a sedimentary rock formed over time, (now we're talking millions of years here) by the constant build-up of organic matter that is made up of organisms that as they die fall to the sea floor, break down and decay there. As the limestone itself formed over time, the Stromatolites formed within it. The general area around where these fossils are was mined for the abundant limestone found here during the 19th and early 20th Century.

I hoped you have found this synapse and my photos interesting.

The information here is based on my own knowledge of the subject, and from this article here:
http://www.fossilmuseum.net/Tree_of_Life/Stromatolites.htm

As always thanks for looking in! :)