What is "zanclean"

The Zanclian is the lowest stage or earliest age on the geologic time scale of the Pliocene. It spans the time between 5.332 ± 0.005 Ma and 3.6 ± 0.005 Ma (million years ago). It is preceded by the Messinian age of the Miocene epoch, and followed by the Piacenzian age.

The Zanclian can be correlated with regionally used stages, such as the Tabianian or Dacian of Central Europe. It also corresponds to the late Hemphillian to mid- Blancan North American Land Mammal Ages. In California, the Zanclian roughly corresponds to the mid-Delmontian Californian Stage of from 7.5 To 2.9 Ma ago.