Paleoarchean

The Paleoarchean (pronounced /ˌpeɪlɪ.oʊ.ɑrˈkiːən/, also spelled Palaeoarchaean) is a geologic era within the Archaean. It spans the period of time 3600 Ma to 3200 Ma (million years ago)—the period being defined chronometrically and not referenced to a specific level in a rock section on Earth. The oldest ascertained life form (Well-preserved bacteria older than 3.46 billion years found in Western Australia) is from this era.