Lutetianage

Lutetianage is a term sometimes used to refer to the Eocene epoch, a period in Earth's history that lasted from approximately 56 to 33.9 million years ago. This epoch is a subdivision of the Paleogene period, which in turn is part of the Cenozoic era. The name "Lutetian" originates from Lutetia, the ancient Roman name for Paris, France, as many significant fossil discoveries from this time period were made in the Paris Basin.

The Lutetian age is characterized by a significant increase in global temperatures, often referred to as the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum, a period of peak warmth in the Cenozoic. This led to the proliferation of tropical and subtropical ecosystems across much of the globe, including vast forests. During this time, mammals continued to diversify and evolve, with the emergence of many modern mammalian orders. Marine life also thrived, with coral reefs expanding and diverse fish populations. The later part of the Lutetian saw a gradual cooling trend that eventually led into the subsequent epoch, the Bartonian.