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==Human prehistory== ==Human prehistory==
⚫ Timeline from the beginnings of human evolution to the ]. All dates are approximate and conjectural, obtained through research in the fields of ], ], ], ], or ]. They are all subject to revision due to new discoveries or improved calculations.

⚫ ===Stone Age===
{{Main|Stone Age}} {{Main|Stone Age}}
This timeline encompasses the entirety of the ]. The ''Stone Age'', lasting about 2.5 million years (]), during which humans and their predecessor species in the genus '']'', as well as the earlier partly contemporary genera '']'' and '']'', widely used exclusively ] as their hard material in the manufacture of implements with a sharp edge, a point, or a percussion surface.


⚫ Timeline from the beginnings of human evolution to the ]. All dates are approximate and conjectural, obtained through research in the fields of ], ], ], ], or ]. They are all subject to revision due to new discoveries or improved calculations.
====Later Stone Age====
This timeline encompasses the entirety of the ].

⚫ ===Later Stone Age===
{{Main|Later Stone Age}} {{Main|Later Stone Age}}
*7,000 years ago: late Neolithic civilizations, invention of the ] and spread of ]. *7,000 years ago: late Neolithic civilizations, invention of the ] and spread of ].
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* 35 000 years ago: oldest known ] (]), age of the ] culture * 35 000 years ago: oldest known ] (]), age of the ] culture


====Middle Stone Age==== ===Middle Stone Age===
{{Main|Middle Stone Age}} {{Main|Middle Stone Age}}
* 40,000 years ago: ] colonisation of ] (]) * 40,000 years ago: ] colonisation of ] (])
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* 250,000 years ago: appearance of '']'' * 250,000 years ago: appearance of '']''


====Early Stone Age==== ===Early Stone Age===
{{Main|Early Stone Age}} {{Main|Early Stone Age}}
* 300,000 years ago: '']'' separated from '']'' (]); approximate age of ]'' * 300,000 years ago: '']'' separated from '']'' (]); approximate age of ]''
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{{see also|Timeline of human evolution}} {{see also|Timeline of human evolution}}
===Geological eras=== ===Cenozoic===
====Cenozoic====
{{Main|Cenozoic}} {{Main|Cenozoic}}
* 2.6 million years ago: current ] begins * 2.6 million years ago: current ] begins
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* 65 million years ago: ] at the end of the ] period marks the end of the ] era and the age of the ]; start of the ] period and the current ] era. * 65 million years ago: ] at the end of the ] period marks the end of the ] era and the age of the ]; start of the ] period and the current ] era.


====Mesozoic==== ===Mesozoic===
{{Main|Mesozoic}} {{Main|Mesozoic}}


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* 251.4 million years ago: ]. End of ] Period and of the ] Era. Beginning of ] Period, the ] and of the age of the dinosaurs. * 251.4 million years ago: ]. End of ] Period and of the ] Era. Beginning of ] Period, the ] and of the age of the dinosaurs.


====Paleozoic==== ===Paleozoic===
{{Main|Paleozoic}} {{Main|Paleozoic}}


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* 540 million years ago: beginning of the ] period, the ] and the ] (current) Eon. End of the Ediacaran Period, the ] Eon and the ] Supereon. Time since the ] the emergence of most forms of complex life, including ]s, ]s, ]s and ]. ] breaks up into several smaller continents: ], ] and ]. * 540 million years ago: beginning of the ] period, the ] and the ] (current) Eon. End of the Ediacaran Period, the ] Eon and the ] Supereon. Time since the ] the emergence of most forms of complex life, including ]s, ]s, ]s and ]. ] breaks up into several smaller continents: ], ] and ].


====Neoproterozoic==== ===Neoproterozoic===
{{Main|Neoproterozoic}} {{Main|Neoproterozoic}}


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* 580 million years ago: end of a possible ] ice age * 580 million years ago: end of a possible ] ice age
* 600 million years ago: Early supercontinent, ] forms in the southern hemisphere. First complex multicelled lifeforms. * 600 million years ago: Early supercontinent, ] forms in the southern hemisphere. First complex multicelled lifeforms.
* 635 mlllion years ago: beginning of the ] Period. * 635 million years ago: beginning of the ] Period.
* 750 million years ago: beginning of a possible ] ice age * 750 million years ago: beginning of a possible ] ice age


==Formation== ==Formation==
{{main|Formation and evolution of the Solar System|Timeline of the Precambrian}} {{main|Formation and evolution of the Solar System|Timeline of the Precambrian|Timeline of the Big Bang}}


Time from the formation of universe to the beginnings of complex life Time from the formation of universe to the beginnings of complex life
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* 13.2 billion years: age of the oldest known star, ] * 13.2 billion years: age of the oldest known star, ]
* 13.7 ± 0.2 billion years (4e17 seconds): estimated age of the ] according to the ] theory * 13.7 ± 0.2 billion years (4e17 seconds): estimated age of the ] according to the ] theory

{{see also|Timeline of the Big Bang}}


==See also== ==See also==

Revision as of 13:23, 28 June 2011

For later historical events, see Timeline of ancient history.

Prehistory comprises all events which took place before the creation of written records. The timeline of prehistory 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 4000 BC. Note that many of these dates are speculative or very rough estimates (approximations). For greater geologic detail, see the articles on the various geological periods.

Human prehistory

Main article: Stone Age

Timeline from the beginnings of human evolution to the invention of writing. All dates are approximate and conjectural, obtained through research in the fields of anthropology, archaeology, genetics, geology, or linguistics. They are all subject to revision due to new discoveries or improved calculations. This timeline encompasses the entirety of the Stone Age.

Later Stone Age

Main article: Later Stone Age

Middle Stone Age

Main article: Middle Stone Age

Early Stone Age

Main article: Early Stone Age

Complex life

Main article: Geologic time scale

Time from the dawn of complex life to the beginnings of the stone age.

See also: Timeline of human evolution

Cenozoic

Main article: Cenozoic

Mesozoic

Main article: Mesozoic

Paleozoic

Main article: Paleozoic

Neoproterozoic

Main article: Neoproterozoic
  • 575 million years ago: oldest animal fossils
  • 580 million years ago: end of a possible Snowball Earth ice age
  • 600 million years ago: Early supercontinent, Pannotia forms in the southern hemisphere. First complex multicelled lifeforms.
  • 635 million years ago: beginning of the Ediacaran Period.
  • 750 million years ago: beginning of a possible Snowball Earth ice age

Formation

Main articles: Formation and evolution of the Solar System, Timeline of the Precambrian, and Timeline of the Big Bang

Time from the formation of universe to the beginnings of complex life

See also

References

  1. Kiple, Kenneth F. and Ornelas, Kriemhild Coneè, eds., The Cambridge World History of Food, Cambridge University Press, 2000, p. 83
  2. "No-Till: The Quiet Revolution," by David Huggins and John Reganold, Scientific American, July 2008, pages 70-77.
  3. Fagan, Brian M, ed. The Oxford Companion to Archaeology, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1996 ISBN 978-0-521-40216-3 p 363
  4. "Shift from Savannah to Sahara was Gradual," by Kenneth Chang, New York Times, May 9, 2008.
  5. Stuart, Gene S. (1979). "Ice Age Hunters: Artists in Hidden Cages". Mysteries of the Ancient World. National Geographic Society. pp. 8-€“10. {{cite book}}: C1 control character in |pages= at position 3 (help)
  6. Encyclopedia Americana, 2003 edition, volume 6, page 334.
  7. Stuart, Gene S. (1979). "Ice Age Hunters: Artists in Hidden Cages". Mysteries of the Ancient World. National Geographic Society. p. 19.
  8. James Trager, The People's Chronology, 1994, ISBN 0-8050-3134-0
  9. Gene S. Stuart, "Ice Age Hunters: Artists in Hidden Cages." In Mysteries of the Ancient World, a publication of the National Geographic Society, 1979. Pages 11-18.
  10. ^ This is indicated by the M130 marker in the Y chromosome. "Traces of a Distant Past," by Gary Stix, Scientific American, July 2008, pages 56-63.
  11. "Mount Toba Eruption - Ancient Humans Unscathed, Study Claims". Retrieved 2008-04-20. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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