"Jon Berndt" wrote in message
...
"Chosp" wrote:

So what? If there were an equivalent to fossilized coral there -
it would certainly show up and it would most certainly
recognized as life. It could be completely macroscopic and
identifiable.

The point being that having suspected bacteria fossils in one
rock does not preclude the existence of macroscopic fossils
in the next rock over.

Mars is not your backyard and we cannot yet rule the possibility
of fossil rich areas on Mars.

Have you ever looked for fossils - even in fossil rich areas?

Yes, I have, in fact, looked for fossils. And found them.
I have found fossils in fossil rich areas and in areas that are not
fossil rich.
I'm not saying there is a reasonable expectation of finding a
perfectly intact skull exposed on the surface.
However, fossil coral reefs on earth can cover miles.
The Guadalupe range over Carlsbad caverns in Texas
is an example of a fossil reef which is exposed on the surface
for miles and miles - and which would be recognizable as such
by MER if landed on an equivalent exposed surface.