Potential Fossilized Microbial Mats

Potential fossilized microbial mats on Mars represent one of the most compelling pieces of evidence for ancient extraterrestrial life. These unusual rock formations, photographed by NASA's Curiosity rover in Gale Crater, strikingly resemble earthly stromatolites - layered structures created by microbial communities in shallow waters billions of years ago. The Martian formations show centimeter-scale undulating layers and textures consistent with biological activity. While non-biological explanations exist, their morphological similarity to Earth's oldest life forms continues to intrigue astrobiologists. These potential biosignatures, dating back to when Mars had liquid water, suggest the Red Planet may have once harbored primitive life in its ancient lakes.