Definition: English surveyor William "Strata" Smith was one of the rocks upon which Darwin built his theory of evolution (pardon the pun). Wandering about England in the late 18th century, he became interested in fossils, and noticed that in outcrops where there were levels to be seen, the fossils were different in the different levels (hence the nickname 'Strata'). He also noticed that whereever he went in England, the fossils occurred in the same order. Never formally educated in geology (or anything for that matter), Smith was awarded the highest honor of the Geological Society of London in 1831.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
