This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (February 2008)

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 lower case.

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 Stage) 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^{citation needed} 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