coevalness

Coevalness is the state or quality of being coeval, meaning simultaneous or of the same age. The term is derived from the Latin coaevol, combining pre‑prefix co- (together) with aevi (age), thus literally “together in age”.

The concept is used in many scientific disciplines. In paleontology and geology, coeval strata refer to layers of sediment that were deposited during the same geological period, helping scientists correlate events across distant locations. In biology, coeval organisms or species are those that existed at overlapping times, important for studies of coevolution and biogeography. Astrophysics employs coevalness to describe stars or stellar clusters that formed roughly at the same time, informing models of stellar evolution and galactic structure.

In social science and history, the clue of coevalness may be applied to contemporaneous cultures or artifacts, indicating shared time frames for comparative analysis. The term can also appear in philosophical contexts, where it describes the simultaneity of ideas or phenomena in epistemological discussions.

Related words include coevolve, contemporaneity, and synchronicity. Though less common than its root, coevalness provides a concise way to denote age synchronicity across various fields. Its precise use aids in clear, unambiguous scientific communication, ensuring that when distinct entities are described as coeval, it is understood that they share an overlapping age range.