Ancient History

225 million B.C. to 65 million B.C.

At least 16 types of dinosaurs roamed Texas from 225 million years ago to about 65 million years ago, at which time dinosaurs disappeared.

Before 11,000-8000 B.C.

The first immigrants drift into the area now called Texas. Artifacts from pre-historic periods, as well as bones of mammoths, horses, camels, ancient bison, giant short-faced bears and giant armadillos, have been found at the Lubbock Lake Landmark site.

Texas History Timelines

The following timelines of major events in the history of Texas have been expanded from the ones that were originally published in the 1996-97 Texas Almanac:

• Ancient History

• European Exploration & Settlement

• Revolution & the Republic of Texas

• Annexation and Statehood

• Secession and Civil War

• Reconstruction to the 20th Century

• The 20th Century

c. 8000-7000 B.C.

Burials from this era are the earliest so far discovered in Texas: Midland Man, discovered in Midland County in 1953; a female, whose remains were found near Leander in Williamson County in 1983; and the remains of a man and a boy discovered shortly thereafter at a site near Waco.

c. 4000 B.C.

People in the lower-Pecos River area leave distinctive rock art painted on cave walls and other rock surfaces.

c. 1500 B.C.

Corn farmers settle near Presidio in an area known as La Junta de los Ríos (the meeting of the rivers) where the Río Grande and Mexico's Río Conchos join. It is believed to be the oldest continuously cultivated farmland in Texas.

A.D. 800 - 1500

Farmers/hunters build and occupy what is today called the Buried City, stone dwellings located southeast of Perryton in Ochiltree County on the northern edge of the Panhandle, as well as other sites along the Canadian River.

c. 1400

The Caddo Confederacy establishes a civilization in East Texas based on agriculture.