An agreed short text in English, French and German, presents a unified statement on those aspects of stratigraphy that require formal international acceptance. The statement is designed to avoid philosophical hazards and misunderstandings between the three language communities; it also harmonizes differences of three national traditions as far as is yet possible.

Stratigraphy is presented as an indivisible science dependent for its successful pursuit and synthesis on the application of numerous widely different methods.

The argument is presented in successive numbered steps to facilitate its critical discussion.