The World Before There was Life

Description: The World Before There was Life. Cooling Earth. Painting by Charles R. Knight. Early in the history of the earth, nearly two billion years ago, volcanic activity was widespread, but the surface of the earth had cooled enough so that oceans could form. So far as is known, life had not yet begun. Part of a Triptych of three murals, the painting is shown on the floor of the exhibit hall, before installation.
Attribution: (c) Field Museum of Natural History - CC BY-NC 4.0
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Department(s)
  • Library
  • Photo Archives
  • Geology
Subject(s)
  • ISL2021
Date: Circa 1927
Physical Size and Format: 11x14 in. b/w negative
Citation: (c) Field Museum of Natural History. CC BY-NC 4.0. https://mm.fieldmuseum.org/981f4f76-b6cd-4672-bf77-b00594bfc1e4 (accessed on 10 Jul 2024)
Associated Catalog Number(s)
  • GE 555
Supplementary files available
CSGEO58848.jpg
The World Before There was Life. Cooling Earth. Painting by Charles R. Knight. Early in the history of the earth, nearly two billion years ago, volcanic activity was widespread, but the surface of the earth had cooled enough so that oceans could form. So far as is known, life had not yet begun. Part of a Triptych of three murals, the painting is shown on the floor of the exhibit hall, before installation.