The Prehistoric Ages

The prehistoric age is the period where there is no written documentation of human civilization. Since there is no writing from the people this period is referred to as the prehistoric period in Ancient history. Thus, it refers to the time from the appearance of the hominids dating back from 2.5 million years ago to arguably 3000 or 1200 B.C. But whenever we say "prehistoric age" generally a more ancient Earth, where large animals were roaming, tends to appear in our minds. Hence, "The Prehistoric Age" has been taken way beyond this time frame and referred here to a time when the Dinosaurs were reigning on the Earth.

From the birth of Earth to the first hominids that began to evolve, encompassing millions of years of Earth's history, there were several geological eras and periods, as well as the evolution of life forms before the advent of human civilization. Here is a brief overview:

1. Hadean Eon (approx. 4.6 to 4.0 billion years ago): During this eon, Earth formed, intense geological activities and bombardment by asteroids and comets were undergoing.

2. Archean Eon (approx. 4.0 to 2.5 billion years ago): Early life forms, such as bacteria and archaea, emerged in the Archean oceans. This period also saw the formation of the Earth's atmosphere and the stabilization of its crust.

3. Proterozoic Eon (approx. 2.5 billion to 541 million years ago): The remarkable event of this eon is the diversification of life forms, including the emergence of eukaryotic cells and multicellular organisms. The first complex animals appeared during this time.

4. Paleozoic Era (approx. 541 to 252 million years ago): The Paleozoic witnessed the proliferation of marine life, including trilobites and early fish. Land plants and terrestrial vertebrates evolved, eventually leading to the colonization of land by plants and insects.

5. Mesozoic Era (approx. 252 to 66 million years ago): Often referred to as the "Age of Dinosaurs," the Mesozoic saw the dominance of reptiles, including dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and marine reptiles. It ended with the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, which wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs.

6. Cenozoic Era (approx. 66 million years ago to present): This era began with the rise of mammals and the diversification of birds after the extinction of the dinosaurs. It encompasses the development of modern ecosystems and the evolution of humans.

These ages represent significant stages in Earth's history, each characterized by distinctive geological and biological developments. It's important to note that these divisions represent vast stretches of geological time, and our understanding of Earth's early history continues to evolve as scientists make new discoveries and refine existing theories.

Next> The Age of Dinosaurs