taphonomy

[ tuh-fon-uh-mee ]

nounPaleontology, Anthropology.
  1. the circumstances and processes of fossilization.

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

Origin of taphonomy

1
1965–70; <Greek táph(ē) grave + -o- + -nomy

Other words from taphonomy

  • taph·o·nom·ic [taf-uh-nom-ik], /ˌtæf əˈnɒm ɪk/, adjective
  • ta·phon·o·mist, noun

Words Nearby taphonomy

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British Dictionary definitions for taphonomy

taphonomy

/ (təˈfɒnəmɪ) /


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

Origin of taphonomy

1
C20: from Greek taphos grave + -nomy

Derived forms of taphonomy

  • taphonomic (ˌtæfəˈnɒmɪk) or taphonomical, adjective

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