The Archaeozoic Era, also known as the Archean Era, marked a significant period of Earth's history. It began over four billion years ago and ended roughly two and a half billion years ago, making it the first era in the geologic time scale. During this era, life on Earth first emerged in the form of simple unicellular organisms and bacteria. Other synonyms for the Archaeozoic Era include the Early Precambrian Era, the Eoarchean Era, and the Ancient Era. These terms all describe the same geological period that saw the formation of the first continents, oceans, and the development of the earliest life forms on the planet.