The explanation of past events in terms of scientific causes (as geological causes).

synonym: paletiology.

Roget 122: the past, past time; days of yore, times of yore, days of old, times of old, days past, times past, days gone by, times gone by; bygone days; old times, ancient times, former times; fore time; the good old days, the olden time, good old time; auld lang syne^†; eld^†.    antiquity, antiqueness^†, status quo; time immemorial; distance of time; remote age, remote time; remote past; rust of antiquity.    [study of the past] paleontology, paleography, paleology^†; paleozoology; palaetiology^†, archaeology; paleogeography; paleoecology; paleobotany; paleoclimatoogy; archaism, antiquarianism, medievalism, Pre-Raphaelitism; paleography.    retrospect, retrospection, looking back, memory etc. 505.    laudator temporis acti [Lat.]; medievalist, Pre-Raphaelite; antiquary, antiquarian; archmologist &c.; Oldbuck, Dryasdust.    ancestry etc. (paternity) 166.    ... show more