Taphonomy is the study of the processes that affect the preservation and alteration of organic remains after death. The term is derived from the Greek words taphos, meaning “grave”, and nomos, meaning “law”. Taphonomic processes can include scavenging, predation, weathering, and burial. Taphonomic studies can provide valuable information about the biology, behavior, and environment of extinct animals.
Taphonomy is an important field of study for paleontologists, archaeologists, and forensic scientists. Paleontologists use taphonomic data to understand how extinct animals lived and died. Archaeologists use taphonomic data to understand how past human populations lived and interacted with their environment. Forensic scientists use taphonomic data to help solve crimes.
