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In astronomy, geology, and paleontology, mya or "m.y.a." is an abbreviation for "million years ago". Like the related unit bya, mya is traditionally written in lowercase.

Although mya is common in popular science writing, in professional literature Ma (megaannum) is preferred.

Events around 1 mya:

Geologic periods (Neogene):

• Pliocene 5.3 to 1.8 mya
  • The last geomagnetic reversal was 0.78 mya
  • The (Eemian interglacial) Ice Age started 0.13 mya
• Holocene started 0.01 mya

Prehistoric Paleontology:

• Homo erectus existed from 1.8 to 0.07 mya
  • and learned to control fire from 1.5 to 0.5 mya
  • and colonized Asia from 0.5 to 0.3 mya
• Homo sapiens separated from Neanderthal lineage 0.6 mya
  • and emerged out of Africa from 0.076 mya
  • and entered Australasia from 0.07 mya
  • and colonized all of Eurasia 0.04 mya
  • and formed cultures since the Upper Paleolithic Revolution 0.04 mya

See also

• annum
• Before Present
• bya
• tya