taphonomic
/ˌtæfəˈnɑmɪk/
adjective
- Relating to the study of how organisms decay and become fossilized, including the processes that affect remains after death.
- Taphonomic changes, such as weathering and scavenging, can make fossils hard to identify.
- The taphonomic analysis showed that the bones were moved by water after the animal died.
- The scientist published a paper on the taphonomic factors that preserved the dinosaur footprints.