When we think about Earth’s biodiversity, insects take center stage. In fact, they account for 55% of all biodiversity—including plants, fungi, and even ocean life—and an impressive 85% of all animal diversity. Among insects, ants hold a particularly fascinating place, thriving in nearly every ecosystem on Earth. Despite their ubiquity, their evolutionary history remains something of an enigma. Compared to the 200 years of dinosaur research, ant paleontology is a relatively young field, just about 50 years old. Let’s explore what we know so far about the evolutionary journey of ants.