Prehistoric earth timeline. The names for earlier .

Prehistoric earth timeline. Bow and arrows with stone points (arrowheads) are used. Homo sapiens, the first modern humans, appear in Africa. Mar 22, 2012 · This interactive module allows students to explore the science of Earth's deep history, from its formation 4. 5 million years, humans lived on Earth without leaving a written record of their lives—but they left behind other kinds of remains and artifacts. 5Gya, at the beginning of the Proterozoic eon, oxygen concentrations rose. Explore events in the first few hundred million years of the solar system and Earth’s history and view some key evidence of these events with this interactive timeline. About 1/3 of the earth's surface was encased in an icy layer — that's four times the amount of ice normally found on earth today. These can be divided broadly into prehistoric periods and historical periods (when written records began to be kept). The first life-forms had only one Prehistory, also called pre-literary history, [1] is the period of human history between the first known use of stone tools by hominins c. For example, an exposed sedimentary rock formation may show a horizontal layer of limestone with snail fossils, a layer of conglomerate rock and a layer of shale and fish fossils. The Earth is roughly 4. The planet was still extremely hot and molten due to its recent accretion and was rocked by global seismic activity The maps show the varied landscapes of the ancient Earth through hundreds of millions of years of geologic time including distribution of ancient shallow seas, deep ocean basins, mountain ranges, coastal plains, and continental interiors. First-time visitors can click around within the timeline to read short descriptions of Feb 15, 2019 · During the early Triassic epoch, Washington, D. It encompasses the vast span of time during which humans and their ancestors lived without leaving written accounts of their activities and events. Rock strata reveal valuable clues about when Due to limitations in measurements, oxygen concentration in the atmosphere or oceans over much of the early parts of Earth's history remains controversial. 6 billion years ago, the Earth was a molten ball of lava where heavier elements, like iron, sunk to the middle of the Earth to create the dense inner core. This Geological Periods This timeline shows the Geologic Time Scale with major events. Where does everything from stars to fossils to plants to people fit into the the timeline of natural history provided in Genesis? The earliest life-forms developed during the earliest period of Earth’s history, called Precambrian time. Note that many of these dates are speculative or very rough estimates. Prehistoric BackgroundLocated on a natural terrace at the confluence of a perpetually-flowing natural spring and an adjacent creek, the Headwaters property would have been prime real estate for anybody, from the earliest days of human occupation all the way up to today. 4400 mya – The Earth’s first oceans formed. The timeline of glaciation covers ice ages specifically, which tend to have their own names for phases, often with different names used for different parts of the world. This display is part of three large displays in the Marston Human Origins Education Gallery. Dense metals sank to the centre of the Earth and formed the core, while the outside layer cooled and solidified to form the Earth’s crust. This infographic offers a visual way to explore the various stages of the Earth's history using a 12 hour clock analogy. Slowly, the surface of the Earth cooled and hardened to form its crust. May 2, 2023 · The Ancient Earth Globe interactive map can help the younger generation learn more about the planet in a fun and interactive way. From evolution to extinction, here are the geological events and history of Earth timeline Precambrian time covers the vast bulk of the Earth's history, starting with the planet's creation about 4. 3 billion more years of Earth's history to explore, and this interactive and edifying timeline created by National Geographic helps interested persons explore it. But what about time dating earlier than that? This "Prehistoric" period — before writing and civilizations — is called the Stone Age and is extremely valuable to our understanding of our earliest hominid ancestors. The only extant members of the human tribe, Hominini, belong to the species Homo sapiens. Ancient Earth is an iOS app for investigating Earth History, Plate Tectonics, and Sea Floor Spreading Time periods of Earth history Below is a list of the commonly used eras that are used to identify differing stages in the planet Earth’s history. Aug 30, 2020 · Link Copied! Where New York City was on Earth 750 million years ago, according to the Ancient Earth map. This timeline of human prehistory comprises the time from the first appearance of Homo sapiens in Africa 200,000 years ago to the invention of writing and the beginning of history approximately 5,500 years ago. The names for earlier Aug 30, 2024 · Prehistoric Life and Geological Time Scale Understanding prehistoric life requires delving into the vast timelines that our planet has experienced. Read to learn more. The study of past temperatures provides an important paleoenvironmental insight because it is a component of the climate and oceanography of the time. 30,000 B. The geological periods start with the Archean eon and end with the Holocene epoch. It is a system of chronological dating that uses chronostratigraphy (the process of relating strata to time) and The geologic temperature record are changes in Earth 's environment as determined from geologic evidence on multi-million to billion (10 9) year time scales. May 24, 2024 · Here is a brief look at the four periods of the Geologic Time Scale that track the Earth's history: Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic. All the . 5 billion years old. The natural history of Earth concerns the development of planet Earth from its formation to the present day. Dinosaurs are a diverse group of reptiles of the clade Dinosauria Evolution of all species on earth fit into the entire timeline of life on earth. This article is a timeline of prehistory. This timeline of Earth's history summarizes significant geological and biological events from the formation of the Earth to the arrival of modern humans. While this list has been updated to be as accurate as possible, it should be borne in mind that some of these dates are considered approximate and may vary by a few hundred thousand years either way. It’s divided into three main periods: 1. 62,000 B. Discover geologic facts including the Permian and Devonian Periods. 5 million – 10,000 BCE): Early Stone Tools: In the early stages of the Paleolithic era, our prehistoric ancestors began using basic stone tools. Mar 7, 2020 · This original creation of Earth contained the world of dinosaurs and such prehistoric beasts and sea monsters that, if they were around during the age of man, would have quickly rendered him extinct. 0-2. 5 billion years ago and ending with the emergence of complex, multicelled life-forms Precambrian Earth About 4. Looking at some of its life forms, how long they lived, and when they died helps provide some scale of Earth's long existence. It ended about 542 million years ago. Scientists know this through the discovery of ancient zircon crystals It also features The Prehistoric Timeline – from the birth of our planet to the beginning of human race. sapiens during and since the Last Glacial Period. For children, download the free Timeline of Prehistory and History Periods (Simple Version). It stretches from the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) to the start of ancient history. The Oldowan tools, dating back around 2. It is difficult for us humans to fully comprehend just how old our planet actually is. Prehistory is typically divided into several distinct periods based on archaeological and anthropological evidence, and it Discover the captivating history of dinosaurs with our timeline, unveiling the story of these magnificent creatures from their early beginnings to their dramatic end. C. was situated in a massive supercontinent called Pangea Ian Webster/Ancient Earth Some 240 million years ago, the patch of land that would one day Since Earth's creation, oceans, continents and life have emerged. 6 billion to 4 billion years ago, the name “Hadean” is a reference to the Hades, the Greek god of the underworld, and describes the hellish conditions present after the Earth’s initial formation. 8 billion years of evolution and beyond. 5,200 years ago. by year, since 3000 BC. Following the Geological Timeline Following the Geological Timeline The geologic time scale is a system of chronological measurement that relates stratigraphy to time, and is used by geologists, paleontologists, and other earth scientists to describe the timing and relationships between events that have occurred throughout Earth’s history. Cro-Magnon’s painted caves with drawings of the animals they killed. This world prehistory timeline displays nearly 300 events that shaped early human history. Eupedia Home > History > Timeline of prehistoric inventions Timeline of human evolution & prehistoric inventions Author: Maciamo Hay Here is a list of the oldest evidence known to archaeology for things that humans did for the first time in prehistory. Jun 6, 2023 · Prehistory refers to the period of time before the advent of written records or documented history. Hominids comprise humans The categorization of the past into discrete, quantified named blocks of time is called periodization. 25,000 B. Since about 4 million years ago, humans have evolved from early hominids to modern humans. Earth Eras Timeline Archeozoic Era 4500-1500 million years ago This is the first Era to have geologic record. When you finish clipping all of your pictures to your string, look at the key to check where each species goes. 3. 6 Jul 14, 2009 · Life Timeline: The evolution of life The story of evolution spans over 3 billion years and shows how microscopic single-celled organisms transformed Earth and gave rise to complex organisms like Apr 4, 2024 · Identify fossils and explore the diversity and history of life on Earth. There are approximately 4. Prior to this time period, prehistory civilizations were pre-literate and did not have written language. Starting 4. We have made every effort to follow citation style rules, but there may be some minor differences. Prehistory comprises all events which took place before the creation of written records. Aug 29, 2025 · The geologic time scale is the “calendar” for events in Earth history. Mar 17, 2025 · Uncover the mysteries of the oldest civilizations in the world, tracing their legacies and innovations that shaped human history. This page lists events from the evolution of the universe and the Earth to the origin of life and human evolution, up to the invention of writing in approximately 4,000 BC. This timeline of prehistory covers the time from the appearance of Homo sapiens approximately 315,000 years ago in Africa to the invention of writing, over 5,000 years ago, with the earliest records going back to 3,200 BC. The term is often used, therefore Aug 16, 2022 · Sixteen pictures of prehistoric organisms are arranged in a geologic timeline showing the progression of life on Earth. 4 billion years ago. Sep 18, 2023 · Timeline of the Prehistoric Era Paleolithic Era (2. The timeline of human evolution outlines the major events in the evolutionary lineage of the modern human species, Homo sapiens, throughout the history of life, beginning some 4 billion years ago down to recent evolution within H. Explore the timeline of Civilization. It covers the amazing journey of Homo sapiens (that's us!) from when we first appeared about 315,000 years ago in Africa. Naturally, hunting and gathering abilities were interfered with during the Ice Ages. 6 billion years ago. 6 billion years ago to about 5,000 years ago. The periods are presented as described by the International Commission on Jul 25, 2025 · The Bible provides a reliable history of the universe and the events described in the Bible, through which we can interpret science and history. Cro-Magnon man is flourishing, moving from the Near East into Europe, lives by hunting and gathering. These prehistoric creatures lived on Earth for over 170 million years, and during that time, they evolved and diversified into a wide range of species. Thousands of volcanoes spewed out new gases which created our early atmosphere. 5 billion years ago to modern times. [7] During the Great Oxidation Event, around 2. And this was the world that, as science has proved, came to a mysterious, cataclysmic end! The geologic time scale, proportionally represented as a log-spiral with some major events in Earth's history. Sep 27, 2019 · For roughly 2. This is a large wall display that features a timeline of human evolution from seven million years ago to present in three horizontal Sep 30, 2025 · Human evolution, the process by which human beings developed on Earth from now-extinct primates. [6] A second rise Histography is an interactive timeline that spans across 14 billion years of history, from the Big Bang to 2015 Are Scientists on the Verge of Resurrecting the Woolly Mammoth? The prehistoric beasts roamed the earth 10,000 years ago—and scientists are obsessed with bringing them back. The Hadean is the first geological eon of Earth’s history. The use of symbols, marks, and images appears very early among humans, but the earliest known writing systems appeared c. Prehistoric TimesEvidence of life from about 30,000 years ago has been found in cave paintings, in burial chambers, and in the form of crude tools. Learn about the different periods of the dinosaur timeline, from the Triassic to the Cretaceous, and explore the fascinating world of these prehistoric creatures. 3 million years ago and the beginning of recorded history with the invention of writing systems. EarthViewer dynamically shows how continents grow and shift as students scroll through billions of years. Scientists do not know exactly when life-forms first appeared, but the oldest known fossils are more than 3 billion years old. Timeline of ancient history This timeline of ancient history lists historical events of the documented ancient past from the beginning of recorded history until the Early Middle Ages. Archaeological timescale, chronology that describes a period of human or protohuman prehistory. Jul 23, 2025 · In summary, prehistoric Earth refers to the vast period that precedes recorded history, spanning from the Earth's origin around 4. For a timeline of historical events see: Timeline of world Apr 20, 2023 · Explore how dinosaurs and other life forms came to flourish and die out in prehistoric times, from the Devonian period to the present-day Cenozoic Era. Time Period 200,000 B. Our research at this site indicates that people have lived here for at Dec 4, 2018 · Prehistoric Map is an interactive map that shows prehistory as archaeological cultures in time and space. Bering Strait is Explore the complete timeline of Earth’s evolution - from formation and first life to modern climate change and future environmental shifts. In this early stage of the earth, the surface changes from molten to rock. Jul 15, 2022 · Discover the prehistoric periods prior, during and after the Dinosaurs. Timeline: Prehistory Timeline Search Search through the entire ancient history timeline. This is a complete, fully interactive timeline chart with 175 geological periods and over 300 events from the formation of the Earth to present day. This timeline of prehistory covers the time from the appearance of Homo sapiens approximately 315,000 years ago in Africa to the invention of writing, over 5,000 years ago, with the earliest records going back to 3,200 BC. Explore the timeline of human migration, from early Homo sapiens in Africa to future climate-driven shifts and global resettlement patterns up to 2100. During this era, early humans embarked on a journey of survival and adaptation. Others are based on chronometric (absolute) methods such as carbon-14 Oct 19, 2023 · At 4. Sep 30, 2014 · Slide through the timeline above to explore how the globe has changed over seven major “snapshots” in our climate history, and to see how it might look in the far future. How did a hellscape of molten lava transform into a lush, green, watery The Earth is old, very very old. 5-billion-year history, from its birth to the emergence of humanity. Timeline of the EVOLUTION OF LIFE on Earth. Between asteroid and comet bombardments, scientists believe enough time passed for vaporized water to condense and settle on the earth’s surface. Search for addresses across 750 million years of Earth's history. The focus is firstly at the prehistory of Europe, and with a focus at European Bronze Age cultures associated with the Indo-European languages and Uralic languages. Fossil identification guides, free textbook about paleontology, 3D models, & more. Prehistory For events dating from the formation of the universe see: Timeline of the universe (Chronology of the universe) For events dating from the formation of the planet to the rise of modern humans see: Timeline of natural history, Timeline of the evolutionary history of life and Timeline of human evolution. The geological time scale is a system of chronological dating that relates geological strata to time, providing a comprehensive way to categorize and understand Earth's history. The continental plates also formed during this timeline. Bering Strait is The list of periods and events in climate history includes some notable climate events known to paleoclimatology. The term is difficult to define because not all 'civilizations' include every one of the above facets. [6] The consensus view includes these phases: Earth's atmosphere was initially oxygen free. Prehistoric time line, geologic time scale, photos, facts, maps, and more from National Geographic. Aug 21, 2019 · History of Earth Timeline Scientists estimate Earth's age and history using a geologic time scale that analyzes fossils imbedded in alternating rock layers called strata. Feb 2, 2021 · An Evolutionary Timeline of Homo Sapiens Scientists share the findings that helped them pinpoint key moments in the rise of our species Oct 27, 2009 · The prehistoric reptiles known as dinosaurs arose during the Middle to Late Triassic Period of the Mesozoic Era, some 230 million years ago. Dates in this article are consensus estimates based on scientific evidence, mainly fossils. In this analogy, one second represents 104,167 years and one hour 375 millions years. 5 million years, were some of the earliest known implements used for cutting and chopping. Human History Timeline B. Prehistory covers the time from the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) to the beginning of ancient history. Once these frigid years were over, a revolution took place — humans started planting crops. [1] This is a list of such named time periods as defined in various fields of study. All dates are approximate and subject to revision based on new The BGS geological timechart provides colourful reference material for use in schools, colleges and at home, setting out the geological timescale and geochronological terms we use at BGS. Humans haven't roamed the earth for long, and our presence on this planet only dates back around 190,000 years. In archaeology and anthropology, prehistory is subdivided into the three-age system. Nov 2, 2022 · This timeline of human prehistory comprises the time from the first appearance of Homo sapiens in Africa 300,000 years ago to the invention of writing and the beginning of history, 5,000 years ago. The geologic time scale or geological time scale (GTS) is a representation of time based on the rock record of Earth. Timeline Search Search through the entire ancient history timeline. All dates are approximate subject to revision based on new discoveries or analyses. Here are 14 species examples from human evolution now extinct. Knowledge of precise climatic events decreases as the record goes further back in time. The atmosphere of the earth is made up of 75% nitrogen & 15% carbon Dioxide. 6 billion years go. Specify between which dates you want to search, and what keywords you are looking for. If in doubt, please refer to the appropriate citation style manual. Definition Civilization (from the Latin civis =citizen and civitas =city) is a term applied to any society which has developed a writing system, government, production of surplus food, division of labor, and urbanization. It begins with the formation of the Earth from the dust and gas of the solar nebula, includes the origin and early evolution of life, the beginning of plate tectonics, and the development of an oxygen atmosphere. Universal History datasets. The timeline of life represents the current scientific theory outlining the major events during the development of life on Earth. Human History Timeline Combined Timeline 200,000 B. Sep 19, 2024 · A timeline of 485 million years of Earth’s surface temperatures shows ancient greenhouse conditions were hotter than scientists thought. The exact nature of the evolutionary relationships between modern humans and their ancestors remains the subject of debate. If interested in the prehistory of the United States, see the Prehistory of North America, the first in a series of three timelines about hte history of the USA. Despite rising and falling hundreds if not thousands of years ago, these cultures remain a mystery and help explain how the world developed into what it is today. Times are listed in millions of years, or megaanni (Ma). It goes all the way up to the invention of writing over 5,000 years ago, around 3,200 BC. Life 3–5 Million Years Ago | Giant Insects & Swamp World 🌿 Prehistoric Earth Documentary 📖 Full Description: Step into a forgotten world — 3 to 5 million years ago, when the Earth was a Dec 15, 2019 · Ancient civilizations continue to fascinate. (Natural History in a nutshell) Animated world map of the biogeography history on Earth, mainly focused on animals Nov 20, 2023 · Dive into the most dramatic events in Earth’s 4. Birds are avian dinosaurs, and phylogenetic taxonomy includes over 11,000 extant species in the group Dinosauria. Prehistory is the time before written records. Some archaeological timescales are based on relative dating techniques, such as stratigraphy, which illuminate a sequence of change. These are known as Dating Human Evolution Timeline Interactive Human Family Tree Snapshots in Time Human Characteristics Walking Upright Tools & Food Bodies Brains Social Life Language & Symbols Humans Change the World Education Lesson Plans Fun Facts Exhibit Exhibit Floorplan About Us Acknowledgments Events Human Origins Program Team Broader Social Impacts The geological history of Earth follows the major geological events in Earth's past based on the geologic time scale, a system of chronological measurement based on the study of the planet's rock layers (stratigraphy). Dive into the prehistoric world and explore the iconic dinosaurs that shaped the Mesozoic Era. Read the entire story here. [1][2] Nearly all branches of natural science have contributed to understanding of the main events of Earth's past, characterized by constant geological change and biological evolution. It thus covers the time from the Middle Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) to the very beginnings of world history. 5 billion years old, it can be difficult to understand just how old Earth is, and the changes that have taken place on the planet in all that time. A timeline of ancient civilizations helps to map the growth of human society while also demonstrating how widespread civilization has been since Explore Earth's life timeline - from ancient microbes to future synthetic life - spanning 3. Sep 11, 2023 · Historic Eras Timeline Prehistoric Era The Prehistoric Era represents a vast stretch of time that predates the development of written records and recorded history. Water vapour was released into the Earth’s atmosphere by volcanism. Relevant Universal History vector information. A megaannus (Ma) represents one million (10 6) years. Paleolithic Period: The Paleolithic era, also known as the Old Stone Age, spans from approximately 2. Special note- an image of the Earth’s surface was taken from the Cretaceous Period to emphasis huge changes made by the continental drift. Oct 1, 2022 · This Correlation of the Genesis creation account with modern science and the fossil record shows the validity of the bible in predicting Earth prehistory. C. Jun 21, 2023 · A Complete Dinosaur Timeline to Extinction: How Long Did They Roam Earth? The history of dinosaurs spans millions of years. It subdivides all time into named units of abstract time called—in descending order of duration— eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages. The timeline of dinosaurs can be divided into three main periods: Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. Ranging from 4. Earth was created around 4. Becoming Human: A Timeline of Our EvolutionYou are on the second floor of the Walton Center for Planetary Health, in the offices of the Institute of Human Origins. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Step Four: A key for your geologic timeline is provided below. Precambrian time began with the formation of Earth’s crust, about 4 billion years ago. They were members of a subclass of reptiles called the 4500 mya – Earth’s core and crust formed. According to the most recent scientific studies, an ancient ocean likely covered the entire planet 150 million years after the formation of Earth, about 4. It took thousands Jan 29, 2024 · The geologic time scale, key events from the fossil record and Earth's history, and maps showing regions of rocks of different ages in the continental United States. tlc2nl gper 4vlzoy uby8n3 lzucd y4xe 1qpssuu8 d6g 7gd1 ofy