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Eons
Can We Get DNA From Fossils?
Season 1
Episode 59
In 1993, scientists cracked open a piece of amber, took out the body of an ancient weevil, and sampled its DNA. Or, at least, so we thought. It took another few decades of research, and a lot of take-backs, before scientists could figure out how we could truly unlock the genetic secrets of the past.
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An apocalypse ended the Permian Period 252 million years ago, wiping out more than 80% of species.
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An extinction in the Middle Permian decimates life, from a fossil reef to our ancient relatives.
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The first herbivorous vertebrates evolve on the side of the amniote family tree leading to mammals.
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Why did vertebrates conquer both the land and the air before the depths of the sea?
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Only twice in Earth's history have supermountains risen, and both times reshaped life forever.