Excurio | Life Chronicles

3.5 billion years ago to the year 2223

Embark on an exceptional immersive expedition to discover history of Earth and life itself.

Running time

43 min

Production year

2023

Co-producers

Excurio
Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (France)

9 paleo-landscapes and 3.5 billion years of evolution in just 43 minutes

Caught in the meanders of time, will we be able to find our way back to the present?

In this captivating space-time adventure, we follow Charlie and her robot Darwin through extinct ecosystems populated by fascinating species.

Tyrannosaurus and triceratops won't be your only encounters...

How can we illustrate the evolution of the planet and the various life forms that have walked it through a non-exhaustive selection of species, places and periods? This is the challenge taken up by Life Chronicles.

The selection has focused on several paleo-landscapes, from the Archean period (3.5 billion years ago) to the present day, including the rise of animal life in the Cambrian (520 million years ago), the great forests of the Carboniferous (300 million years ago), the great dinosaurs of the Cretaceous (67 million years ago) and the rise of humans (between 100,000 and 60,000 years ago).

The paleo-landscapes are located in different regions of the world (chosen for their actual fossil sites), at different periods and featuring spectacular or more elusive, mysterious species that help us understand that life is everywhere, all the time, in multiple forms.

Science at the heart of the story

From paleontologists to paleobotanists, evolution specialists and bioacousticians, the Excurio teams and scientists from the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (France) have brought this epic to life, in a dreamlike, sometimes humorous way, but always based on scientific data.

To best represent the atmosphere of the period, a sound universe has been created to immerse you in dense environments. Listen carefully – a species might be approaching you!

Living conditions on the Earth's surface have changed over time: each time you discover a paleo-landscape, you'll be told where you landed and the specific features of that era.

Charlie, your guide

Born in 2196, Charlie is a post-doctoral researcher at the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris. Her work, combining quantum physics and research into the evolution of species, is extremely promising.
Always accompanied by her robot Darwin, her insight and knowledge shed light on the mysteries of life and evolution.
Will she be able to get us home?

A breathtaking journey through time and space

Nine periods and locations are covered by this immersive expedition:

The formation of the Earth (Hadean), 4.5 billion years ago, Cosmos
Archean, 3.5 billion years ago, Pilbara, Australia, Coastline / Ocean
Cambrian, 522 million years ago, Chengjiang, China, Ocean
Carboniferous, 314 million years ago, Montceau-les-Mines, France, Swamp / Forest
Jurassic, 180 million years ago, Holzmaden, Germany, Ocean / Sky
Cretaceous, 67 million years ago, Hell's Creek, United States, Shore / Forest / Plain
Eocene, 45 million years ago, Messel, Germany, Forest / Canopy
Pleistocene, 61,000 years ago, Flores Island, Indonesia, Forest / Plain / Cave
Present day, 2023, Arusha Region, Tanzania, Savanna

162

recreated plant and animal species

"With our Immersive Expeditions, we aim to tell stories and take visitors on adventures where they can experience their own history and heritage, both tangible and intangible. Here, virtual reality brings people together, offering them the chance to revisit moments and places in our world that are not accessible."

— Fabien Barati,

CEO, Excurio

Behind the scene videos

Visitor reviews

"Fantastic experience!!! There were three generations of us... children (17 and 14), parents (43 and 44) and grandparents (67 and 73)..."

Jacques S. - Paris, France

Press coverage

Le Monde logo

"3.5 billion years of evolution as if you were there"

Read the article

Le Parisien logo

"Amazing"

Read the article

Find Life Chronicles near you

World premiere

Credits

Co-producteurs
Excurio, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle

Creative Director
Guillaume Martini

Authors
Ludovic Marguerie, Guillaume Martini, Francis Nief

Scientific curators
Bruno David, Sylvain Charbonnier, Gaël Clément, Guillaume Lecointre (MNHN)