Paibian

What Was the Paibian?

The Paibian was an early time in Earth's history. It was part of something called the Cambrian System, a time when many new sea animals were appearing. The Paibian came after the Guzhangian and before the Jiangshanian.

How Do We Know About the Paibian?

Scientists look for tiny sea creatures called trilobites to find out when the Paibian began. One special trilobite, Glyptagnostus reticulatus, showed up about 497 million years ago, marking the start. Another trilobite, Agnostotes orientalis, appeared about 494.2 million years ago, showing when the Paibian ended.

Where Did the Name Come From?

The name Paibian comes from a village called Paibi in Hunan, China. Near this village, in the Wuling Mountains, scientists found the place that helps them decide when the Paibian started. This spot is close to Huayuan County.

Learning About Ancient Life

During the Paibian, scientists found fossils of small sea creatures. These fossils help us learn about life from long ago. They tell us how animals were changing and growing in the oceans many millions of years ago.