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Explore the vast expanse of time, from the very beginning of the universe to the dawn of the Common Era. Discover the key events and milestones that shaped our world.
The Big Bang and Early Universe
Journey back billions of years to the very start of it all. The universe began approximately 15 billion years ago, followed by the formation of our solar system around 5 billion years ago. Witness the birth of Earth and its moon about 4.6 billion years ago, and the subsequent formation of Earth's crust and oceans 3.8 billion years ago.
Evolution of Life and Continents
Delve into the era when oxygen appeared in Earth's atmosphere around 2 billion years ago, paving the way for complex life. See how the Earth's surface broke into two continents, which further divided into five continents about 1 billion years ago, as oxygen levels permitted plant life.
The Dawn of Humanity
Explore the milestones in human evolution, from the emergence of recognizably human species around 500,000,000 B.C.E. to their migration from Africa to Asia and Europe. Discover the development of stone tools, the migration to New Guinea and Australia, and the end of the last Ice Age.
Early Maritime Developments
Witness the dawn of maritime technology, with boats sailing in the Aegean as early as 7500 B.C.E. Learn about the era of the first known log boats, the settlement of Crete and Cyprus by Neolithic Age farmers, and the evidence of deep-sea fishing in Scandinavia. Discover the earliest images of watercraft and sails, and the rise of Minoan/Mycenean power in the Aegean region.
Ancient Civilizations and the Sea
Follow the maritime excursions of ancient civilizations, from Egyptian expeditions in the Red Sea to their voyages to Syria and the Indian Ocean. Learn about the Polynesian migrations across the South Pacific, the period of the Cleops boat, and the Babylonian maps etched in stone.
The Rise of Maritime Powers
Explore the era when the Phoenicians controlled the eastern Mediterranean, venturing into the eastern Atlantic and sailing down the African coast. Discover the establishment of Cadiz as an Atlantic port and the voyages of Hanno along the West African coast.
Greco-Roman Maritime Achievements
Learn about the Greek introduction of the trireme, the Battle of Salamis, and the writings of Herodotus and Thucydides on Greco-Persian and Peloponnesian maritime conflicts. Follow Alexander the Great's overland expedition and Greek naval expeditions in the Indian Ocean. Discover the voyages of Pytheas and the commencement of the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage.
Continue Your Journey
Continue exploring the fascinating timeline of maritime history. From the Big Bang to the End of the Before Common Era, discover pivotal moments that shaped our understanding of the world and our relationship with the sea.
