1. The Precambrian Era!
By Kahli Veys

2. When we say “Precambrian,” what time period are we talking about?
The Precambrian era spans from the formation of Earth, 4.5 billion years ago, to the evolution of abundant macroscopic hard-shelled animals, about 500 million years ago.

3. The Precambrian Era actually spans several eras

4. What Happened During the Precambrian Era?
Earth formed
Life arose
First tectonic plates arose and began to move
Eukaryotic cells evolved
Atmosphere became enriched in oxygen
And, just before the end of the Precambrian, complex multicellular organisms, including the first animals, evolved.

5. If we represent Earth’s history on a 24 hour clock…
= Precambrian era
Precambrian Earth Video: Click Here!!

6. The Precambrian Era Broken Down
Hadean: 4.6 billion years ago to roughly 3.8 billion years ago
Archaean:
3.8 - 2.5 billion years ago
Started off very hot
Lots of volcanic activity—so much geologic activity that there were only protocontinents (not large continents that we have today)
The Archean atmosphere is thought to have lacked free oxygen.
Temperatures estimated to be near modern levels
liquid water present
Life: Stromatalites and bacterial fossils have been found from this era
Proterozoic:
2.5 billion - 542 million years ago
An eon that spans three eras: Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic, Neoproterozoic
Period before the first abundant complex life on Earth
Featured massive, rapid continental accretion
Large increase in atmospheric oxygen
Life: herbivorous eukaryotes (algae)
First glaciation

7. Our Activity: Precambrian Board Game!
Get in groups of 2-3
Collect a piece of large (heavy-weight) construction paper, a notecard, a few pieces of colored paper, colored pencils, clay, a glue stick, scissors, markers, and crayons
Work with your group to come up with a simple board game concept (think Candyland!)
Your game will span the length of the Precambrian era
Use the art supplies to create your board game
Write out the rules to your game on the notecard
Make sure to make the game playable by 2+ players
Be sure to include the time periods within the precambrian era, using the information found on the previous page of this slideshow!
When everyone is done, we will play each other’s games.

8. Picture Sources by Slide:1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Information Sources: