stratigraphy

 
Pronunciation: /strəˈtɪgrəfi/

noun

[mass noun]
  • the branch of geology concerned with the order and relative position of strata and their relationship to the geological timescale.
  • the analysis of the order and position of layers of archaeological remains.
  • the structure of a particular set of strata: you can find materials at the surface which are samples from the deeper stratigraphy

Derivatives

stratigrapher

noun

stratigraphic

Pronunciation: /stratɪˈgrafɪk/
adjective

stratigraphical

Pronunciation: /stratɪˈgrafɪk(ə)l/
adjective

stratigraphically

adverb

Origin:

mid 19th century: from stratum + -graphy