The Permian Extinction: When Life Nearly Died
The Ancients18 Syys 2025

The Permian Extinction: When Life Nearly Died

It was the biggest mass extinction event in Earth’s history. 250 million years ago, a 252 million years ago, Earth faced its deadliest crisis. 97% of all life was wiped out in the Permian Extinction – a cataclysm so severe it’s known as The Great Dying.


In this episode of The Ancients, the fourth and final part of our Great Disasters miniseries, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Michael Benton to uncover the full story of this mass extinction. From the rich and bizarre world of Permian creatures to the apocalyptic events that triggered their downfall, discover how just 3% of life clung on and how their survival paved the way for the rise of the dinosaurs.


MORE

Rise of the Dinosaurs

Origins of Life of Earth


Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds

The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.


Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.


You can take part in our listener survey here:

https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaksot(595)

The Sahara: Traders and Travellers

The Sahara: Traders and Travellers

Stretching across from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, Northern Africa is dominated by the Sahara Desert. The largest hot desert in the world, it's an indomitable force. So how did Ancient Communit...

26 Loka 202338min

The Murders of Alexander the Great

The Murders of Alexander the Great

This episode contains strong language, and references to sexual assault.Alexander the Great - conqueror, legend, murderer. After ascending to the throne at aged 20 in 336BCE, his rule started with mas...

22 Loka 202343min

How to Survive the Ice Age

How to Survive the Ice Age

When you think of the 'Ice Age', tales of saber-toothed predators and hulking megafauna probably come to mind - but what else do we know about prehistoric culture that lived 25,000 years ago, and how ...

19 Loka 202331min

Hades: King of the Underworld

Hades: King of the Underworld

This episode contains references to death and sexual assault.Hades is King of the the dead and the Underworld in Ancient Greek mythology. Dive into the shadowy underworld with host Tristan Hughes and ...

15 Loka 202355min

Ötzi the Iceman

Ötzi the Iceman

Ötzi, otherwise known as the Iceman, is a renowned glacial mummy uncovered in 1991 in the Tyrolean Alps between Italy and Austria. Found by mountain hikers at 3,200 meters above sea level, his discove...

12 Loka 202337min

Tyre: Jewel of Phoenicia

Tyre: Jewel of Phoenicia

One of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, Tyre was a jewel of the Ancient World. A Phoenician metropolis, and the birth place of numerous legendary figures - the city provides an invaluable ins...

8 Loka 202344min

Gladiators in Britain

Gladiators in Britain

When you think of Gladiators you tend to think of Roman Amphitheatres, Hollywood films, and probably not Colchester in the UK. But thanks to the discovery of the Colchester Vase, evidence suggests tha...

5 Loka 202347min

The Dead Sea Scrolls: Jesus, John the Baptist & Essenes

The Dead Sea Scrolls: Jesus, John the Baptist & Essenes

Part 2/2. Of unknown authorship, the Dead Sea Scrolls - also known as the Qumran Scrolls - are some of the most important ancient documents ever discovered. Found by a young boy in a cave by the Dead ...

1 Loka 202340min

Suosittua kategoriassa Historia

olipa-kerran-otsikko
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
mayday-fi
huijarit
totuus-vai-salaliitto
mystista
tsunami
konginkangas
sotaa-ja-historiaa-podi
rss-subjektiivinen-todistaja
rss-ikiuni
rss-i-dont-like-mondays-2
rouva-diktaattori
rss-peter-peter
rss-kirkon-ihmeellisimmat-tarinat
tiedetta-ja-sirkushuveja-vanhojen-aikojen-podcast
rss-sattuu-sita-suomessakin
historian-nurkkapoyta
rss-iltanuotiolla
rss-outoja-uutisia-pohjois-suomesta