The Ediacaran Period lasted from about 635 to 541 million years ago, marking the final stage of the Neoproterozoic Era. This period is significant for the emergence of some of the earliest complex multicellular life forms, known as the Ediacaran biota. These organisms were primarily soft-bodied and lived in marine environments, showcasing a variety of shapes and sizes. During the Ediacaran, the Earth experienced significant changes, including the end of the global glaciation known as "Snowball Earth." The period set the stage for the subsequent Cambrian Explosion, which saw a rapid increase in the diversity and complexity of life forms.