In Bill Bryson's "A Short History of Nearly Everything," the author presents an intriguing discussion about the early conditions on Earth. He highlights how ultraviolet rays from the sun, regardless of its intensity, would have disrupted chemical bonds formed by molecules, posing a challenge for life to develop. This situation raises questions about the origins of life in such a harsh environment.

Despite these difficulties, Bryson points out the existence of stromatolites, which are layered structures created by microbial communities, often found near the surface. Their presence challenges our understanding and suggests that life managed to thrive despite the adverse conditions, creating a puzzle for scientists studying the history of life on Earth.