Neogene Period

Age of modern plants and large mammals

The Neogene Period (23.03–2.59 Ma) is in the Cenozoic Era, occurring after the Paleogene Period, and before the Quaternary Period.

Geologic Age

  • 23.03–2.59 Ma

Subdivisions

Eon / Era

What happened during this time?

  • Mammals and birds diversify

  • Human ancestors begin to feed on grasses and sedges (Wynn et al. 2013)

  • North and South America connect

  • Climates cooled during the Neogene

  • Continental glaciations in the Quaternary