A Million Years

"Never in a million years!" I've said it a million times... this off-handed reference to some highly unlikely suggestion or hypothetical outcome. Haven't you?

Implicit in our use of this expression is our cavalier perspective toward this particular interval of time. It seems a safe exaggeration, since we are confident that no living person could, with certainty, recount one single event that took place a million years ago. In fact, that realm of the past, as well as even more recent frames of time, is oft referred to as "pre-history".

But, of course, the student of Geology, Archaeology or Anthropology is required to be much more than cavalier. In recent years I have taken fresh interest in these three disciplines. My current perspective takes into account that a million years may be less than one tenth the age of this planet of ours. It also takes into account that deep pre-history played out in an environment dramatically different than the one that now supports us. It cautions me to "never say never".

As I strive to discover more information and keep abreast of new data regarding the evolution of earth and mankind, I often return to an amazing tome penned by H.G. Wells in the 1930's titled, "Outline of History". Yes, I refer to that same H.G. Wells who wrote "War of the Worlds". "Outline..." is his non-fictional gift to the armchair historian/geologist/anthropologist written in a most engaging and concise manner which makes an overwhelming body of theory and hypothesis seem, not only comprehensible, but as appealing as a novel. It is a perfect introduction for the novice and a useful review for any of the related disciplines. If your interest is piqued, Wells can be found at Ibiblio.