|  Archaean
stromatolites are hard to come by, especially those retaining
banded laminae structure as we have here. Almost certainly,
the marginal marine environments of Earth contained prodigious
stromatolites during the Arachaean. In fact, some theories
hold that stromatolites actually peaked in the Lower Proterozoic,
and steeply declined beginning by the Middle Proterozoic. However,
either little of it is exposed, or what is exposed is in desolate
locations. Clearly much has been ground up into sediment, otherwise
distorted or perhaps subsumed into the Earth's mantel.
This
beautiful specimen has ostensibly escaped much of the Earth's
ravaging forces for some 2,600,000,000 years. Note the distinct
wavy to subdomal form genera (laminae) made vivid and colorful
on the hand-polished side. The obverse side has been left natural.
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