Life evolved sooner than later: Scientists

PARIS: Life on Earth may have sparked into existence as early as 4.4 billion years ago, hundreds of millions of years sooner than previously thought possible, according to a study to be published today.

Until now scientists assumed that no life forms could have survived the so-called Late Heavy Bombardment, a 100-million-year fusillade during which our young planet was pummeled by meteorites that blasted craters the size of Thailand and France.

All told, some 200,000 trillion tons of space rock rained down on the planet, according to the new study.