Atlas Obscura · People & society

Ancient Organisms: Earth's Oldest Living Things

Across the globe, ancient organisms, including trees, clonal colonies, fungi, and deep-sea creatures, stand as testaments to endurance, some living for thousands or millions of years.

Organism ages are measured differently: growth rings for trees, estimated rates for sponges. Clonal colonies like Utah's Pando (over 1 million years old) share a root system.

Fungal networks, like Oregon's "Humongous Fungus" (2,400 years), span vast areas. Individual trees include Sweden's Old Tjikko (9,550 years) and California's Methuselah Tree (~4,800 years).

Other ancient trees are China's Li Jiawan Grand Ginkgo King (~4,000 years) and Scotland's Fortingall Yew/Wales' Llangernyw Yew (2,000-5,000 years). Nevada's Prometheus Bristlecone Pine was nearly 5,000 years old.

Greece's Olive Tree of Vouves is over 2,000 years old. New Zealand's Tāne Mahuta kauri tree is 1,250-2,500 years old.

Germany's Thousand-Year Rose (early 800s) still blooms. The Olive Tree of Vouves has branches used for Olympic laurels.

The world's oldest animal is Antarctica's Volcano Sponge (15,000 years). Milford Sound, New Zealand, has black coral trees over 4,000 years old.

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