<Li> Various claims have been made about reviving bacterial spores to active metabolism after millions of years . Claims have been made of spores from amber being revived after 40 million years , and spores from salt deposits in New Mexico being revived after 240 million years , the longest living organisms in history . In a related find , a scientist was able to coax 34,000 - year - old salt - captured bacteria to reproduce . His results were duplicated at a separate independent laboratory facility . </Li>
what 's the oldest living thing on planet earth
spores from salt deposits in New Mexico