Law of superposition

The law of superposition is an axiom that forms one of the bases of the
sciences of geology, archaeology, and other fields dealing with geological
stratigraphy. In its plainest form, it states that in undeformed stratigraphic
sequences, the oldest strata will be at the bottom of the sequence. This is
important to stratigraphic dating, which assumes that the law of superposition
holds true and that an object cannot be older than the materials of which it is
composed. The law was first proposed in the 17th century by the Danish
scientist Nicolas Steno.

Contents
1 Archaeological considerations
2 See also
3 References
3.1 Sources
Layer upon layer of rocks on north shore
of Isfjord, Svalbard, Norway. Since there is
no overturning, the rock at the bottom is
Archaeological considerations older than the rock on the top by the Law
of Superposition.
Superposition in archaeology and especially in stratification use during
excavation is slightly different as the processes involved in laying down
archaeological strata are somewhat different from geological processes. Man made intrusions and activity in the archaeological
record need not form chronologically from top to bottom or be deformed from the horizontal as natural strata are by equivalent
processes. Some archaeological strata (often termed as contexts or layers) are created by undercutting previous strata. An example
would be that the silt back-fill of an underground drain would form some time after the ground immediately above it. Other examples
of non vertical superposition would be modifications to standing structures such as the creation of new doors and windows in a wall.
Superposition in archaeology requires a degree of interpretation to correctly identify chronological sequences and in this sense
superposition in archaeology is more dynamic and multi-dimensional.

See also
Principle of original horizontality
Principle of lateral continuity
Principle of cross-cutting relationships
Principle of faunal succession
Stratigraphy
Structural geology
Harris matrix
Stratification (archeology)

References

Sources
 Hamblin, W.K. The Earth's Dynamic Systems, A Textbook in Physical Geology, by W. Kenneth Hamblin, BYU, Provo,
UT, Illus. William L. Chesser, Dennis Tasa, (Burgess Publishing Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota), c 1978, pg. 115,
"The Principle of Superposition and Original Horizontality;"pg. 116: The Principle of Faunal Succession, "The
Principle of Crosscutting Relations;" pg 116-17:"The Principle of Inclusion,"(as in the Steno discussion above).
Principles of Archaeological Stratigraphy. 40 figs. 1 pl. 136 pp. London & New York: Academic Press ISBN 0-12-
326650-5

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