Evolutionary Milestones

Trilobite. Artist: Kate Nolan. Source: Museum Victoria.

Fossils found in Australia record some of the earliest forms of life on Earth, as well as a diversity of more recent animals and plants. The study of fossils from this ancient land and other parts of the world reveals evidence of a multitude of evolutionary developments over the past 3,500 million years. Some of the most interesting of these are the development of features that are important to much of life today -- cells, oxygen, hard body parts, jaws, limbs and lungs, the egg, warm-bloodedness and flowering plants.

Background information on these and other evolutionary 'milestones' is presented here in four chronological sections, together with some observations about evolution today.

1. The oldest evidence for life on Earth


2. Life develops in the sea


3. Invasion of the land


4. Life in the Mesozoic


5. Evolution today

These 'Evolutionary Milestones' are also explored in the Dinosaurs in Time exhibition at Melbourne Museum.