The Paleoarchean 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

Earth

Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...

. The oldest ascertained life form (Well-preserved bacteria older than 3.46 billion years found in Western Australia

Western Australia

Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...

) is from this period.