A new series of articles on the topic of UFOs—now more commonly referred to as UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena)—will be launching on this website shortly. This series is not about sensationalism, myths, or modern legends, but about a sober, scientifically grounded assessment. It takes a clear position: There are no extraterrestrial visitors on Earth—and there never have been. Why? Watch the Teaser!

For over 350 million years, reptiles and dinosaurs ruled our planet , an unimaginably long era during which mammals, as we know them today, did not yet exist. But deep within that distant past stirred the beginnings of our own story: the origin of mammals and thus, of humankind.

Around 300 million years ago, during the late Carboniferous and early Permian periods, creatures emerged that can be considered the true ancestors of mammals: the synapsids. At first glance, they looked like reptiles strong-bodied, scaly-skinned, with jaws full of teeth. Yet within them already lay the potential for an entirely new class of animals.

The synapsids possessed differentiated teeth (incisors, canines, and molars), a more active metabolism, and possibly an early form of warm-bloodedness. Their most distinctive feature was the temporal opening behind the eye, through which strong jaw muscles passed, hence their name: synapsids (“with a connection”). Famous representatives include Dimetrodon, often mistaken for a dinosaur, with its striking dorsal sail and predatory appearance. Its herbivorous relative Edaphosaurus appeared more peaceful, yet both belonged to the same evolutionary lineage, one that would ultimately shape the future. Another early predator, Ophiacodon, also belongs to these fascinating pioneers.

Roughly 270 to 200 million years ago, during the late Permian and early Triassic periods, the therapsids evolved from the synapsids, a more advanced and adaptable form. They already showed where evolution was heading: their posture became more upright, their teeth more specialized, and many species likely developed fur. These adaptations suggest they were warm-blooded and more active, much like modern mammals. Among them were striking predators such as the gorgonopsians, fearsome hunters with long, dagger-like fangs, and the cynodonts, the direct ancestors of true mammals. Species like Thrinaxodon and Cynognathus already displayed transitional features: a secondary palate that allowed simultaneous chewing and breathing, complex tooth structures, and possibly even parental care, behaviour rare in reptiles but typical in mammals.