The Archean tonalitic magma series is characterized by a high Al2O3 and Na2O content. Tertiary tonalites with similar major element composition have been generated in subduction zones. It is therefore suggested that the Archean tonalites was generated in relation to subduction zones, the primary magma of the series being of dioritic composition. The generation of the primary magma occurred at about 15 kbar, while the recent generation of andesite occur at about 30 kbar. The higher frequency of generation in the Archean, and the relatively small depth of geneeration is related to the slightly higher temperatures of the mantle in the Archean.