taphonomy

[ tuh-fon-uh-mee ]
/ təˈfɒn ə mi /

noun Paleontology, Anthropology.

the circumstances and processes of fossilization.
the study of the environmental conditions affecting the preservation of animal or plant remains.

Origin of taphonomy

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

tapetum, tapeworm, taphephobia, taphiae, taphole, taphonomy, taphouse, taphrogenesis, tapioca, tapioca snow, tapioca-plant

British Dictionary definitions for taphonomy

taphonomy
/ (təˈfɒnəmɪ) /

noun

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

Derived forms of taphonomy

taphonomic (ˌtæfəˈnɒmɪk) or taphonomical, adjective

Word Origin for taphonomy

C20: from Greek taphos grave + -nomy