A timeline is a representation of a period of time in a linear (diachronic) fashion. Such temporal (time) depictions range from a single line showing dates and events in a chronological order to collections of lines showing comparative, spatial (space-related) developments. Timelines are, by definition, the basis for studying history, but they have many specific uses other than just depicting past events. That said, care should be taken in using timelines as they can – depending on how they are constructed – lead to a distorted view of the past and misconceptions about the nature of history as an academic discipline.
Timelines come in different shapes and sizes and will vary according to the purpose for which they are intended. Here is an outline of the main types.
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