The World Before There was Life

Description: Nearly two billion years ago, volcanic activity was widespread, but the surface of the earth had cooled enough so that oceans could form. In this scene, life has not yet begun. Text above mural: Our infant world was barren and lifeless; volcanic activity reached a peak early in the history of the earth, 2 billion years ago. Part of a Triptych of three murals. Charles R. Knight painting or mural installed circa 1928, shown on wall above Carboniferous Forest diorama in Hall 38 Fossil Vertebrates.
Attribution: (c) Field Museum of Natural History - CC BY-NC 4.0
How we are licensing our collections data and images
Department(s)
  • Library
  • Photo Archives
  • Geology
Creator(s)
  • Photographer: Ron Testa : Field Museum of Natural History - Photography Division
Date: Created Jun 1980
Physical Size and Format: 4x5 in. color transparency
Citation: Courtesy of: R. Testa. (c) Field Museum of Natural History. CC BY-NC 4.0. https://mm.fieldmuseum.org/178c0165-f9d5-442d-9400-d936b8d95755 (accessed on 10 Jul 2024)
Media File URL: http://fm-digital-assets.fieldmuseum.org/525/777/CK23T.jpg
Associated Catalog Number(s)
  • GE 555
Associated Specimen(s)
Supplementary files available
CK23T.jpg
Nearly two billion years ago, volcanic activity was widespread, but the surface of the earth had cooled enough so that oceans could form. In this scene, life has not yet begun. Text above mural: Our infant world was barren and lifeless; volcanic activity reached a peak early in the history of the earth, 2 billion years ago. Part of a Triptych of three murals. Charles R. Knight painting or mural installed circa 1928, shown on wall above Carboniferous Forest diorama in Hall 38 Fossil Vertebrates.
IRN: 525777
GUID: 178c0165-f9d5-442d-9400-d936b8d95755