taphonomy

American  

[tuh-fon-uh-mee] / təˈfɒn ə mi /

noun

Paleontology, Anthropology.

1. the circumstances and processes of fossilization.

2. the study of the environmental conditions affecting the preservation of animal or plant remains.

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taphonomy British  

/ ˌtæfəˈnɒmɪk, təˈfɒnəmɪ /

noun

1. the study of the processes affecting an organism after death that result in its fossilization

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Other Word Forms

• taphonomic adjective
• taphonomist noun

Etymology

Origin of taphonomy

1965–70; < Greek táph ( ē ) grave + -o- + -nomy

Example Sentences

Dr. Thompson said the condition of the bones reflected events at the time of death, not the taphonomy, or changes that can affect remains post-mortem such as decomposition, scavenging or fossilization.

From New York Times

Forensic taphonomy: The study of postmortem changes to human remains, including decomposition of soft tissue, animal activity, bone modification or human interference.

From Washington Times

It's often difficult to tell exactly what complete is after taphonomy has taken its toll, discarding some hard tissues as well as the bonus soft tissue remnants we all hope for.

From Scientific American

Details are not yet finalized, but the plans are at an advanced stage: project leaders hope this year to open the farm, also known as a forensic cemetery or taphonomy facility, after the discipline devoted to the study of decay and fossilization.

From Nature

For years, experts in the United Kingdom have tried and failed to establish a taphonomy facility: a decade ago, a proposal from Richard Arnold, head of funeral-services company Omega Supplies in Sutton-on-Sea, Lincolnshire, was scrapped after it failed to win the support of academic researchers.

From Nature