Strata are dated with the assumption of evolution

Brief response

Through the developing field of geology, evolution was considered before Darwin to have happened: fossil sequences were discovered and dated relatively without the assumption of evolution. This could be done because of unique fossil assemblages in different layers of rock. Darwin developed and gave examples of the theory of evolution by natural selection to account for the findings – that is he proposed the mechanism of evolution.

Strata are dated relatively by geologic principles and absolutely by radiometric dating.

Resources

For resources on this topic, please see index fossils and geologic column.