Research into the origins of life on earth has yielded new clues, with studies suggesting that simple chemistry and ancient materials, such as asteroid samples and preserved genetic material, may hold the key to understanding how life began. The discovery of certain compounds, including RNA, in these materials has provided insight into the origins of life. However, the exact nature and source of these clues, including whether they come from asteroids like Bennu or Ryugu, or from preserved ancient organisms, is not entirely clear.