The Cenozoic era, meaning “new life”, is a division of earth’s history spanning from around 66 million years ago to the present. It is subdivided into the Paleogene, Neogene and Quaternary periods. The beginning of the Cenozoic is characterised by a phase of recovery following the end Cretaceous mass extinction, and during which mammals and birds began to diversify.

Cenozoic

Episode 168/169: Grasslands

Published on September 1st, 2025 | by David Marshall

Grass dominated ecosystems cover 40% of the land on Earth. Prof. Caroline Strömberg explains why they are so successful... Read More →


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Langebaanweg Part 3 – An Animal Archive

Published on August 22nd, 2025 | by Guest Blogger

While we have discussed the importance of Langebaanweg in terms of its geological positioning and history, the thing it is really famous for is the incredible size and diversity of its fossil assemblage. In the last [&hellip... Read More →


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Form and Function of the Skull of the Ice Age Bush Dog

Published on March 20th, 2025 | by Hady George

Mammoths, sabre-toothed cats, and giant ground sloths may be among the most iconic animals of the ice age, but the diversity of life during this time in Earth’s history extends well beyond them and includes one [&hellip... Read More →


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Langebaanweg Part 2 – Geology and Palaeoecology

Published on September 5th, 2024 | by Guest Blogger

Langebaanweg is a Mio-Pliocene aged fossil locality on the west coast of South Africa (about 120 Km from Cape Town), that has produced a staggering diversity and abundance of fossil material. In the first part of [&hellip... Read More →


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