A terminus post quem ('limit after which', sometimes abbreviated TPQ) and terminus ante quem ('limit before which', abbreviated TAQ) specify the known limits of dating for events or items.[1][2][3]
The coins of Azes II found inside the Bimaran casket provide a terminus post quem: for the coins to have been placed inside, the casket was necessarily consecrated after the beginning of the reign of Azes II.
A terminus post quem is the earliest date the event may have happened or the item was in existence, and a terminus ante quem is the latest. An event may well have both a terminus post quem and a terminus ante quem, in which case the limits of the possible range of dates are known at both ends, but many events have just one or the other. Similarly, a terminus ad quem 'limit to which' is the latest possible date of a non-punctual event (period, era, etc.), whereas a terminus a quo 'limit from which' is the earliest. The concepts are similar to those of upper and lower bounds in mathematics.
These terms are often used in archaeological and historical studies, such as dating layers in excavated sites, coins, historical events, authors, inscriptions or texts where the exact dates may not be known or may be in dispute.[2][3]
The Phoenician inscription on the sarcophagus of Ahiram is the earliest known example of the fully developed Phoenician alphabet. For some scholars, it represents the terminus post quem of the transmission of the alphabet to Europe.
For example, consider an archaeological find of a burial that contains coins dating to 1588, 1595, and others less securely dated to 1590–1625. The terminus post quem for the burial would be the latest date established with certainty: in this case, 1595. A secure dating of an older coin to an earlier date would not shift the terminus post quem.
An archaeological example of a terminus ante quem would be deposits formed before a historically dateable event, such as building foundations that were partly demolished to make way for the construction of a city wall. If it is known that the wall was finished in 650, then the foundations must have been demolished in 650 or earlier; all that can be said from the evidence is that it happened before the known event.
Other examples of things that may establish a terminus are known dates of death or travel by persons involved, a particular form of heraldry that can be dated (see pastiglia for example), references to reigning monarchs or office-holders, or a placing relative to any other events whose date is securely known. In a modern context, dated images, such as those available in Google Earth, may establish termini.
Related terms
A terminus ante quem non differs from a terminus post quem by not implying the event necessarily took place. 'Event E happened after time T' implies E occurred, whereas 'event E did not happen before time T' leaves open the possibility that E never occurred at all.[dubious – discuss]
^Grant, Jim; Gorin, Sam; Fleming, Neil (2005), The archaeology coursebook: an introduction to study skills, topics and methods (2 ed.), Taylor & Francis, p. 90, ISBN978-0-415-36077-7.
^ abBarker, P. (1993). Techniques of Archaeological Excavation. Batsford. pp. 224–226. ISBN978-0-7134-7169-4.
^ abComfort, P.W. (2005). Encountering the Manuscripts: An Introduction to New Testament Paleography & Textual Criticism. Broadman & Holman. pp. 104–106. ISBN978-0-8054-3145-2.
January 31, 2023
terminus, post, quem, terminus, post, quem, limit, after, which, sometimes, abbreviated, terminus, ante, quem, limit, before, which, abbreviated, specify, known, limits, dating, events, items, coins, azes, found, inside, bimaran, casket, provide, terminus, pos. A terminus post quem limit after which sometimes abbreviated TPQ and terminus ante quem limit before which abbreviated TAQ specify the known limits of dating for events or items 1 2 3 The coins of Azes II found inside the Bimaran casket provide a terminus post quem for the coins to have been placed inside the casket was necessarily consecrated after the beginning of the reign of Azes II A terminus post quem is the earliest date the event may have happened or the item was in existence and a terminus ante quem is the latest An event may well have both a terminus post quem and a terminus ante quem in which case the limits of the possible range of dates are known at both ends but many events have just one or the other Similarly a terminus ad quem limit to which is the latest possible date of a non punctual event period era etc whereas a terminus a quo limit from which is the earliest The concepts are similar to those of upper and lower bounds in mathematics These terms are often used in archaeological and historical studies such as dating layers in excavated sites coins historical events authors inscriptions or texts where the exact dates may not be known or may be in dispute 2 3 Contents 1 Example 2 Related terms 3 See also 4 ReferencesExample Edit The Phoenician inscription on the sarcophagus of Ahiram is the earliest known example of the fully developed Phoenician alphabet For some scholars it represents the terminus post quem of the transmission of the alphabet to Europe For example consider an archaeological find of a burial that contains coins dating to 1588 1595 and others less securely dated to 1590 1625 The terminus post quem for the burial would be the latest date established with certainty in this case 1595 A secure dating of an older coin to an earlier date would not shift the terminus post quem An archaeological example of a terminus ante quem would be deposits formed before a historically dateable event such as building foundations that were partly demolished to make way for the construction of a city wall If it is known that the wall was finished in 650 then the foundations must have been demolished in 650 or earlier all that can be said from the evidence is that it happened before the known event Other examples of things that may establish a terminus are known dates of death or travel by persons involved a particular form of heraldry that can be dated see pastiglia for example references to reigning monarchs or office holders or a placing relative to any other events whose date is securely known In a modern context dated images such as those available in Google Earth may establish termini Related terms EditA terminus ante quem non differs from a terminus post quem by not implying the event necessarily took place Event E happened after time T implies E occurred whereas event E did not happen before time T leaves open the possibility that E never occurred at all dubious discuss See also EditInterval time List of Latin phrases Relative datingReferences Edit Grant Jim Gorin Sam Fleming Neil 2005 The archaeology coursebook an introduction to study skills topics and methods 2 ed Taylor amp Francis p 90 ISBN 978 0 415 36077 7 a b Barker P 1993 Techniques of Archaeological Excavation Batsford pp 224 226 ISBN 978 0 7134 7169 4 a b Comfort P W 2005 Encountering the Manuscripts An Introduction to New Testament Paleography amp Textual Criticism Broadman amp Holman pp 104 106 ISBN 978 0 8054 3145 2 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Terminus post quem amp oldid 1130505890, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
