Mammals: Life before Dinosaurs
Description
In 2023, palaeontologists Bruce Rubidge and Julien Benoit made a sensational discovery in South Africa’s Karoo Basin. After 40 years of meticulous excavation, their team uncovered the oldest site of therapsids – the earliest known ancestors of mammals. In Pangaea, an unrecognisable world, where vast continents were joined as one, dinosaurs, mammals, birds, insects, and flowers had yet to appear on Earth. How similar were these primeval animals to the diverse mammal family we know today? And how did they acquire the traits and behaviours that enabled mammals to conquer the world?
The palaeontological team meticulously reconstructs an ancient puzzle, unlocking the first chapter of the origins of complex life. Join them to explore the groundbreaking discovery that reshapes our understanding of how mammals began their story.
Company Info & Contacts
ZDF Studios, a subsidiary of ZDF and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, is a leading media company specializing in global content distribution, international co-productions and licensing. With over 30 affiliated companies, the ZDF Studios Group covers the entire value chain—from developing and producing scripted and unscripted content to marketing, merchandising, and monetizing TV and streaming rights. Its extensive catalog includes the world’s largest inventory of German-language programming and a growing portfolio of international series, films, documentaries and children’s content. As an integrated media group, ZDF Studios fosters innovation and excellence, offering a dynamic and creative environment that attracts top talent from Germany and around the world.
