In this illustrated interactive timeline, explore a brief history of life on Earth, from the earliest bacteria in the Precambrian Period, to the first modern humans.

The Oxford Encyclopedia of Evolution by Mark Pagel, ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. The Book of Life: An Illustrated History of the Evolution of Life on Earth by Stephen Jay Gould, ed ...

The evolution of planet Earth over 4.5 billion years. Dive into the most dramatic events in Earth’s 4.5-billion-year history, from its birth to the emergence of humanity.

In this interactive time line, explore our universe through time, from the early inflationary period that led to the birth of stars and galaxies, to the final death throes of the Milky Way and the ...

The practice of quarantine—the separation of the diseased from the healthy—has been around a long time. As early as the writing of the Old Testament, for instance, rules existed for isolating ...

The History of Money In the Beginning: Barter Barter is the exchange of resources or services for mutual advantage, and may date back to the beginning of humankind.

Empire of Light: A History of Discovery in Science and Art Sidney Perkowitz, a condensed matter physicist, looks at the history of our understanding of light in both art and science.

Susan K. Lewis is a contributing editor of NOVA Online. Thanks to Dr. Mark Wheelis of the University of California, Davis for reviewing this history.

In the wake of one of history's most devastating epidemics of bubonic plague, the Byzantine emperor Justinian enacts a law meant to hinder and isolate people arriving from plague-infested regions. 583 ...

Receive emails about upcoming NOVA programs and related content, as well as featured reporting about current events through a science lens. Mary, Queen of Scots (Scotland) When Mary, Queen of ...

For centuries, the roles that African Americans played in shaping the U.S. have been buried. When it comes to telling the full history of our country, their significance is often dismissed.

A Brief History of Life. By Lexi Krock; Posted 02.01.02; NOVA; It's hard to wrap your mind around the concept of 4.5 billion years. For many of us, the Pyramids–built 4,500 years ago, a ...