Carboniferous

The Carboniferous period is the fifth geological period of the Paleozoic era. It extended from 350 million years ago to 290 million years ago. Known for its giant ferns (lepidodendron, 40 m, archaeopteris, 30 m), and also for its great carbon deposits formed during this period in a large tropical zone (that included Europe). It was also during this period that the amniotes (first reptiles) appeared. Climates were highly contrasted with a humid tropical zone and great Gondwanian glaciation. Hercynian orogeny