Holocene

[ hol-uh-seen, hoh-luh- ]

adjective

1. recent ( def 4 ).

noun

1. recent ( def 5 ).

Holocene

/ ˈhɒləˌsiːn /

adjective

1. of, denoting, or formed in the second and most recent epoch of the Quaternary period, which began 10 000 years ago at the end of the Pleistocene

noun

1. the Holocene
   the Holocene epoch or rock series

Holocene

/ hŏl′ə-sēn′,hō′lə-sēn′ /

1. The more recent of the two epochs of the Quaternary Period, beginning at the end of the last major Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago. It is characterized by the development of human civilizations.
2. Also called Recent
3. See Chart at geologic time

Word History and Origins

Origin of Holocene¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; holo- + -cene

Example Sentences

In the recent study, published in The Holocene, Carney looked at camas bulbs from the Willamette Valley in Oregon dating back 8,000 years to determine when in their life cycle they were harvested.

From Science Daily

This challenges the prevailing notion of a diet heavily based on animal protein among pre-agricultural human groups and raises questions about the lack of agricultural development in North Africa at the beginning of the Holocene.

From Science Daily

"All these lines of evidence indicate that the Anthropocene, though currently brief, is – we emphasize – of sufficient scale and importance to be represented on the Geological Time Scale and terminating the Holocene," Waters said.

From Salon

"Based on the findings from our study, we are not overly optimistic that Florida's subtropical reefs will be able to support range expansions of reef-building coral species reminiscent of the Late Holocene any time soon."

From Science Daily

In the meantime, we remain in the Holocene epoch, which started at the end of the last ice age, some 11,700 years ago.

From BBC