The first 600 million years of Earth’s history, known as the Hadean, are a mystery. No geological record exists. This enigma has driven scientists to computational models and sparse laboratory simulations to piece together our planet's earliest conditions and the origins of life. In this context, the ERC-funded PROTOS project aims to revolutionize our understanding of this primordial epoch. PROTOS focuses on recreating Hadean environments through innovative laboratory experiments. By scrutinizing reactions between water, gases, and ancient rock types, PROTOS focuses on the role of silica in the origins of early life-supporting habitats and the genesis and preservation of organic compounds crucial to life’s emergence. This pioneering effort promises to unveil critical insights into Earth’s infancy.