Geological time

Epochs since extinction of the dinosaurs

Late Jurassic Starts 163.5 million years ago, ends 145 million years ago. A time of dinosaurs.

Paleocene

Starts 66 million years ago. In a tropical climate modern plants begin to appear and mammals diversify after the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Eocene

From 56 million years ago. The reglaciation of Antarctica and the formation of its ice cap.

Oligocene

From 34 million years ago. Rapid evolution and diversification of fauna, and flowering plants.

Miocene

23 million years ago. Punctuated by ice ages, modern mammals and birds emerge. Pleistocene 2.6 million years ago. Evolution of modern humans. Dawn of human stoneage cultures.

Holocene

Starts 11,700 years ago. Rise of civilisation and agriculture. Stone Age cultures give way to Bronze, then Iron age.