Pleistocene

The Pleistocene is a geological epoch that lasted from about 2.6 million to around 11,700 years ago. It is characterized by repeated glacial cycles, where large ice sheets covered parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. This time also saw the rise and extinction of many species, including mammoths and saber-toothed cats, as well as the emergence of early humans. The Pleistocene ended with the last Ice Age, leading into the current epoch, the Holocene, which marks a warmer climate and significant human development.