Humans have walked the Earth for 190,000 years, a mere blip in Earth's 4.5-billion-year history. A lot has happened in that time. Earth formed and oxygen levels rose in the foundational years of the Precambrian. The productive Paleozoic era gave rise to hard-shelled organisms, vertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles. Dinosaurs ruled the Earth in the mighty Mesozoic. And 64 million years after dinosaurs went extinct, modern humans emerged in the Cenozoic era. The planet has seen an incredible series of changes—discover them for yourself.

Adobe Flash Player This requires the latest version of Flash Player. Click here to download.

National Geographic Blogs

  • 025577.jpg

    NatGeo NewsWatch

    Keep current on developments in science, nature, and cultures.

  • epsilon aurigae star eclipse by disk - picture

    Breaking Orbit

    Join a discussion of all things extraterrestrial.

  • Photo: Adventure by boat

    BlogWild

    National Geographic explorers share tales (and photos) of their adventures.

  • Photo: Man holding skull

    Stones, Bones 'n Things

    Go behind the scenes of new discoveries with National Geographic scientists.

  • Photo: Coral reef with fish

    Ocean Now

    Join underwater explorer Enric Sala as he explores untouched reefs.

More Blogs From National Geographic »