MIOCENE

THE MIOCENE EPOCH
23 TO 5 Million Years Ago
The Age of Grasslands
 Grazing Mammals Diversify as Prairies Spread
The grasslands of the desert overflow . . . The meadows are covered with flocks . - Psalm 65:12-13

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Paleo-Geography
  • Continents continue to drift to present positions
  • Africa collides into Eurasia forming the Alps
  • India collides into Eurasia forming the Himalayas
  • The Rockies & Andes continue to rise
  • Mediterranean Sea dries up
  • Global mountain building cools climate; icecaps form

Life

  
  The Indricotherium (left), a   Miocene relative of the   horse & rhino, was the   largest land mammal of
   all time.

    (Image: Jeolojik Devirler)

Strange Chalicotheres fend off modern Carnivores
on the Miocene grasslands
(Image: NDSU?)

 
 


Pierolapithecus catalaunicus (right), one of a number of Miocene hominoid apes, has many features that make it look like the last common ancestor of gorillas, chimps and man.

        (Image: Science Magazine)

 

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