Leiden University Student Repository

Pape, Edine (2010)

The Velocity of Evolution. Implications for Biostratigraphical Dating

Master thesis | Archaeology (MA/MSc)

Biostratigraphy is the most applied dating device for Quaternary (archaeological) sites, based on presumed predictable evolutionary changes in species morphology. The velocity of evolution may however deviate from directional trends due to a large amount of influencing factors, that are moreover not all identifiable fossil record. It is tried to relate patterns of morphological change to possible causal factors throughout this thesis, but due to unknown (relative) importance of these parameters use of biostratigraphy is hardly justifiable. On a higher level, the rates of speciation and evolutionary modes level also give very little chronological support, as the mechanisms behind these patterns are likewise largely unknown. Because the blanks in a dated evolutionary scheme cannot be filled in with certainty, the use of biostratigraphy is hardly tolerable. Unfortunately, due to a lack of other dating methods it currently remains in use, but should be seriously questioned for the...Show moreBiostratigraphy is the most applied dating device for Quaternary (archaeological) sites, based on presumed predictable evolutionary changes in species morphology. The velocity of evolution may however deviate from directional trends due to a large amount of influencing factors, that are moreover not all identifiable fossil record. It is tried to relate patterns of morphological change to possible causal factors throughout this thesis, but due to unknown (relative) importance of these parameters use of biostratigraphy is hardly justifiable. On a higher level, the rates of speciation and evolutionary modes level also give very little chronological support, as the mechanisms behind these patterns are likewise largely unknown. Because the blanks in a dated evolutionary scheme cannot be filled in with certainty, the use of biostratigraphy is hardly tolerable. Unfortunately, due to a lack of other dating methods it currently remains in use, but should be seriously questioned for the future if not more information is gained from modern studies on recognizing (proportional) influences involved in the velocity of evolution.Show less

Author

Pape, Edine

Faculty

Faculty of Archaeology

Supervisors

Kolfschoten, M. van

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en