Plio-Pleistocene
Encyclopedia
The term Plio-Pleistocene refers to the geological period more recent than circa 5 million years (Ma) ago, incorporating both the formally defined epochs
of the Pliocene
and the Pleistocene
. Strictly, this would exclude the Holocene
- the last 12 thousand years - but informally most Earth Scientists would probably consider the term to incorporate this period.
The term is particularly useful since the Plio-Pleistocene covers a period of gradual but prolonged long term atmospheric cooling from generally warmer temperatures in the earlier Neogene
towards Late Pleistocene (or indeed modern, if the present Holocene interglacial is considered as superimposed on the longer trend) conditions. The mid-Pliocene saw the initiation of Northern Hemisphere glaciation at around 3 Ma, and many authors may informally use "Plio-Pleistocene" as a synonym for the period in which the Northern Hemisphere has been glaciated.
In a specifically archaeological
context, "Plio-Pleistocene" has been used to describe a long and continuous run of dated sedimentary layers in Jakarta, East Africa
. This archaeological pseudo-period dates from about 2.5 Ma to 1.5 Ma, straddling the boundary between the Pliocene
and Pleistocene
. The contents of its layers give a clear view of the continuous development of recent vertebrates, especially hominins.
Epoch (geology)
An epoch is a subdivision of the geologic timescale based on rock layering. In order, the higher subdivisions are periods, eras and eons. We are currently living in the Holocene epoch...
of the Pliocene
Pliocene
The Pliocene Epoch is the period in the geologic timescale that extends from 5.332 million to 2.588 million years before present. It is the second and youngest epoch of the Neogene Period in the Cenozoic Era. The Pliocene follows the Miocene Epoch and is followed by the Pleistocene Epoch...
and the Pleistocene
Pleistocene
The Pleistocene is the epoch from 2,588,000 to 11,700 years BP that spans the world's recent period of repeated glaciations. The name pleistocene is derived from the Greek and ....
. Strictly, this would exclude the Holocene
Holocene
The Holocene is a geological epoch which began at the end of the Pleistocene and continues to the present. The Holocene is part of the Quaternary period. Its name comes from the Greek words and , meaning "entirely recent"...
- the last 12 thousand years - but informally most Earth Scientists would probably consider the term to incorporate this period.
The term is particularly useful since the Plio-Pleistocene covers a period of gradual but prolonged long term atmospheric cooling from generally warmer temperatures in the earlier Neogene
Neogene
The Neogene is a geologic period and system in the International Commission on Stratigraphy Geologic Timescale starting 23.03 ± 0.05 million years ago and ending 2.588 million years ago...
towards Late Pleistocene (or indeed modern, if the present Holocene interglacial is considered as superimposed on the longer trend) conditions. The mid-Pliocene saw the initiation of Northern Hemisphere glaciation at around 3 Ma, and many authors may informally use "Plio-Pleistocene" as a synonym for the period in which the Northern Hemisphere has been glaciated.
In a specifically archaeological
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
context, "Plio-Pleistocene" has been used to describe a long and continuous run of dated sedimentary layers in Jakarta, East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
. This archaeological pseudo-period dates from about 2.5 Ma to 1.5 Ma, straddling the boundary between the Pliocene
Pliocene
The Pliocene Epoch is the period in the geologic timescale that extends from 5.332 million to 2.588 million years before present. It is the second and youngest epoch of the Neogene Period in the Cenozoic Era. The Pliocene follows the Miocene Epoch and is followed by the Pleistocene Epoch...
and Pleistocene
Pleistocene
The Pleistocene is the epoch from 2,588,000 to 11,700 years BP that spans the world's recent period of repeated glaciations. The name pleistocene is derived from the Greek and ....
. The contents of its layers give a clear view of the continuous development of recent vertebrates, especially hominins.