Plant Evolution A long 3000 million years ago the earth was not suitable for life as the atmosphere contained little to no oxygen and without this, deadly ultra violet rays from the sun bombarded the unprotected surface. This lead to life beginning in the ocean where it was safe from the sun's rays. It was here that life began with bacteria and small microscopic plants, called algae. Algae is the worlds oldest known fossil. Found in rocks of South Africa and Central Australia up to 3100 years ago. The Age of Algae lasted more than 2000 million years old, which is about half of planet earth's lifetime. During this long period of