Paleontological Statistics

PAST (PAleontological STatistics) is a free software package for statistical data analysis with a focus on palaeontological data.

Development
PAST's predecessor was PALSTAT, developed by palaeontologists David Harper (University of Copenhagen) and Paul Ryan (National University of Ireland), first for BBC Microcomputer and later for MS-DOS.

The development of PAST started in 1999, the development team consisted of Harper, Ryan as well as Øyvind Hammer (University of Oslo), who is still the maintainer today.

Functions and Operation
PAST includes functions for data management, data visualisation through graphics, univariate and multivariate analysis procedures as well as linear and non-linear modelling. There are also functions for diversity calculation, time series analysis, geostatistical and stratigraphic analysis.

The operation is basically mouse-controlled. In addition, control via syntax scripts is provided, using a Pascal-like script language.

Usage
PAST was used for studies in paleontology,   forensics, archaeology  or microbiology.

The software was recommended because it is "... designed specifically for paleontologists" and "... incorporates a vast majority of analytical methods suitable for paleontological and current ecological work".