Cockroaches have been around for a long, long, long time. They are believed to have originated during the Carboniferous era, about 280 million years ago.

Cockroaches are indeed ancient insects that first appeared during the Carboniferous period, approximately 280-350 million years ago. They have survived through multiple mass extinction events and have remained relatively unchanged in their basic form, making them one of the oldest surviving insect groups. The statement is factually accurate.