A History of Ideas in Ichnology - Trace Fossils as Indicators of Sedimentary Environments - page 3

Osgood (1975) attempted to subdivide the history of ichnology on the basis
of periods of time with relatively stable characteristics:
1. Age of Fucoids ( 1823-1881 ): This stage started with Brongniart (1823) , who
considered invertebrate trace fossils as fucoids , or seaweed. During this his-
torical stage, the botanical interpretation dominated the scientific view of
trace fossils.
2. Period of Reaction ( or Age of Controversy )( 1881-1925 ): Based on analo-
gies with modern traces, Nathorst (1881) argued that many fucoids were
trace fossils. This aroused a consistent debate, with prominent scientists like
Lebesconte and de Saporta supporting the botanical interpretation.
3. Development of the Modern Approach ( 1925-1953 ): This stage started with
the establishment of the Senckenberg Laboratory, a marine institute devoted
to neoichnology ( Cad ´ e and Goldring, 2007 ). The geologists of the period
agreed about the ichnological nature of trace fossils, opening the avenues to
the decisive steps toward modern ichnology.
In more recent times, two historical stages were added to Osgood's classical
periods: Pemberton et al. (2007) recognized a Modern Era of Ichnology , extend-
ing from 1953 to the present day. This period saw the foundation of the central
concepts of modern ichnology, starting with Seilacher's (1953) seminal publi-
cation on the methods of ichnology. Recently, Baucon (2010) established the
Age of Naturalists , spanning roughly the fifteenth to the seventeenth centuries.
During this stage, several Renaissance intellectuals depicted and studied trace
fossils, although ichnology existed as disconnected ideas about traces. Holding
these stages as a chronological reference, this chapter will explore the evolution
in the study of trace fossils, from Paleolithic times to the present.
3. FROM PALEOLITHIC TIMES TO GRECO-ROMAN
ANTIQUITY
Archeological evidence indicates that humans have recognized trace fossils
since Paleolithic times. Bioeroded Miocene mollusks are commonly found
within the cultural layers of Pavlov and Doln ´ V ˇ stonice (Czech Republic, Late
Paleolithic, 29,000-24,000 years ago; Fig. 1 A). Statistical data from the pri-
mary collection sites indicate that humans selectively collected mollusks with
bioerosional trace fossils ( Oichnus ) in order to use them as items of personal
adornment (i.e., segments of collars; Jaro ˇ ov ´ et al., 2004 in Supplementary
Material: http://booksite.elsevier.com/9780444538130 ) .
Such archeological evidence shows that trace fossils were a subject of ancient
interest for humans, although it gives no information about their interpretation in
past hunter/gatherer societies. In this regard, anthropological analogy with mod-
ern indigenous populations represents a valuable tool of analysis. As one of
the oldest continuous cultures in the world, Australian Aborigines provide an
exceptional insight in the anthropology of biogenic traces ( Lowe, 2002 ). Native