Source note: the author referred to Robert Graves' The Greek Myths, Volume One and Volume Two in her research for this book.
For Deborah Warner, who lifted the weight.
Sedimentary rock is formed over vast expanses of time, as layer upon layer of sediment is deposited on the sea bottom.
Being formed in this way, such rock is usually arranged in a succession of horizontal bands, or strata, with the oldest strata lying at the bottom.
Each band will often contain the fossilised remains of the plants and animals that died at the time at which the sediment was originally laid down.
The strata of sedimentary rock are like the pages of a book, each with a record of contemporary life written on it. Unfortunately, the record is far from complete. The process of sedimentation in any one place is invariably interrupted by new periods in which sediment is not laid down, or existing sediment is eroded. The succession of layers is further obscured as strata become twisted or folded, or even completely inverted by enormous geological forces, such as those involved in mountain building…
The strata of sedimentary rock are like the pages of a book…
Each with a record of contemporary life written on it…
Unfortunately the record is far from complete…
The record is far from complete…
