The Hidden Secrets of the Ordovician Age

The origins of advanced forms of life began 500 million years ago during the Ordovician period ending with the Silurian extinction event. Australian biologist Richard Smith travels across the continent to study the fossil record of living things that continued to flourish at this time as it did in the earlier Cambrian period. Invertebrates, namely mollusks and arthropods, dominated the oceans and fish, the world's first true vertebrates, continued to evolve, with jaws appearing late in the period, not yet to diversifying onto land. About 100 times as many meteorites struck the Earth during the Ordovician compared with today.

[goognamgoognw]

i took a nap over the documentary and thoroughly enjoyed it. I mean it in a positive way.

[Axgoodofdunemaul]

Thanks to whomever Australians gave us this. It's delightful to have updates to the classic geological history documentaries of 29 years ago.

[nathanbean]

They really like that water drop audio effect dont they

[PhilRounds]

This should be played in every middle school science classroom. Too many young people have a poor understanding of how life evolved on Earth.

[elsakristian]

What a wonderful video. The history of our planet is amazing.

[feefee]

This was great! Made me appreciate Australia on a whole new level!

[kyd]

These are, by far, among the best documentaries of their kind, available here for free on YouTube.

[seiyuokamihimura]

For everyone wanting to know what the stock image was for the video its a helicoprion.

[dapeban]

Very interesting video... although, the picture is quite misleading. Watched the full 50 minutes to try and see that weird fish with the rolled-up jaw. Not only that, The Ordovician segment lasts 3 minutes, starts at 1:50, ends at 5:54, so the title is also misleading!

[ryanwiseman]

With every establishing shot I think “meanwhile in paradise”. I got to get to Australia someday. Great documentary btw

[Aelipse]

Thank you for the beautiful documentary. <3

[AlbertCanil]

Want a lovely documentary so lovingly narrated. Thank you so much for your effort. Best wishes from down under Atlantic side (Buenos Aires, Argentina), come think of it we're practically neighbours...

[lotharsoran]

Those little fellows that look like wood lice at the beginning are adorable! 🦂Most ancient land... and we've destroyed it very quickly in less than 500 years. Aka the coral bleaching. Such a shame. It is awe inspiring to be shown, and realise yet again, the sheer weight of time behind the planet. It really puts us and our brief time on the earth in perspective. Fascinating documentary!

[stevesellers-wilkinson]

Absolutely fascinating ! Great upload - thank you!

[easyaspi]

Those scorpions parting in front of the explorer at about 9:50 must have been in editing. Pretty well done production with the music and the visuals. Entertaining! CHEERS!

[oddessey_arts]

0:25 real life footage of a car yeeting through time

[leoselios]

The sun is a deadly lazer.
Plants:Not anymore there's a blanket

[Rosemer]

Australia is such a massive country slash continent! Our country Philippines would fit there 25 times! No wonder there are still unknown species yet to be discovered there!

[stepaushi]

The title of this video is not accurate. Ordivician is a period, not an age, using geological terminology. Also, the documentary passes through the Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, and Permian periods.
Edit: I see that others have commented to this effect. See the comment of T C below for the NOVA series this video was taken from and not acknowledged.

[MichaelOZimmermannJCDECS]

Wow, the Aussies are taking documentary to the next level... nicely done