This challenge will teach you about the Eras of Life on Earth and at the same time see if you are qualified to explore deep time.
Each geologic period described below has an associated geocaching attribute. Attributes require either at least 5 finds or 25 finds depending on the general abundance of caches with the attribute in the Bay Area (More finds is OK).
To fully qualify the challenge, you must have met or exceeded the count for each attribute. You can check this using the Project GC checker link at the end. The checker will tell you if you are qualified and if not, tell you where you are lacking finds to complete a part.
Now, follow along as the Geologic eras are described.
There is still debate about how primitive single cell life first originated on earth in the Pre-Cambrian period (3.5 billion years ago). Early theories postulated that the primordial soup of elements combined with UV light 
(5 finds) as an energy source could have allowed formation of the first living cells. More recently, it has been suggested that deep sea volcanic vents might have provided nutrients and an energy source.
Paleozoic Era (542 to 252 million years ago)
The Paleozoic Era was a time of great change on Earth. It began with the breakup of one supercontinent and the formation of another. Plants became widespread and the first vertebrate animals colonized land.
From the simple single cell organisms of the pre-Cambrian, life blossomed in what is known as the Cambrian Explosion (541 Million Years Ago). A huge increase in the variety of life forms soon led to weird and mysterious creatures in the early seas 
(5 finds).
The Ordovician period (488 Million Years ago) was marked by the emergence of the earliest insects 
(25 finds).
By the Silurian period (443 Million Years ago), fish became dominant in the sea and the Devonian period (416 Million Years ago) saw the first lobe-finned fish (including the coelacanth, a moden day living fossil). The lobed fins let them move through the shallows and onto the land. This saw the colonization of the land coming from the sea 
(5 finds).
By the Carboniferous period (359 Million Years ago), terrestrial life was well established, amphibians were common place and forests dominated the landscape 
(25 finds). In the Permian period, reptiles and mammal-like reptiles became predominant. The sail-backed Dimetrodon was likely the apex predator of the time.
Mesozoic Era (252 million to 66 million years ago)
The Mesozoic (Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods) is known as the Age of Dinosaurs . All the familar names like Iguanodon, Allosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Apatosaurus, and Triceratops ruled the earth for this long period of time.
The Cretaceous period was not a good time to be an herbivore or a small mammal. Dangerous predators like Tyrannosaurus Rex and Velociraptor were looking for their next meal. However, body structures like the horns of Triceratops provided a good defense in these dangerous times 
(25 finds).
The Cretaceous ended and two-thirds of life on Earth became extinct (including all the dinosaurs) after an asteroid impact caused acidifcation of the seas and turned the skies dark causing ecological collapse 
(5 finds).
Cenozoic Era (66 Million Years ago to Present)
The Eocene period (56 Million Years ago) saw the rise of mammals. They were initially small like Eohippus, the dawn horse which was the size of a small dog 
(25 finds) .
By the Miocene period (23 Million Years ago), large savanna grazing animals including deer, descendants of Eohippus, and camelids were common. Predators like saber cats and bear dogs preyed on them 
(25 finds).
The Pleistocene period (2.5 Million Years ago) was also known as the Ice Age because of repeated glaciations. In this period, early hominids spread out of Africa into Europe. Megafauna like Woolly Mammoths, Dire Wolves, Cave Bears and giant Sloths were contemporaries. They all had to cope with recurring winter 
(25 finds).
The Holocene period (11,650 Years ago to now) following the last glacial retreat is our current period. Recorded history from early civilizations including the Babylonians, the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans chronical humanities march from an agricultural society to today's highly technological society.
Homo geocachingus, a specialized hominid armed with a keen curiosity, tools of the trade, and an urge to explore is where we end our 3.5 Billion Year march through time 
25 finds).
Use the below checker to see if you are a cacher for the ages.
If you have not met the requirements of this challenge, you may visit the cache, sign the log book and post a note on this page. When you have met the requirements of the challenge, you may then post a "Found It" log without having to revisit the cache.
