1. relating to taphonomy, the study of how organisms decay and become fossilized after death
Usage: scientific; paleontology

Examples

• The taphonomic processes affected how well the dinosaur bones were preserved.
• Researchers studied the taphonomic conditions that led to the exceptional fossil site.
• Taphonomic analysis revealed that the specimens had been buried rapidly.
• The paleontologist examined taphonomic evidence to understand the ancient environment.
• Different taphonomic factors influence whether soft tissues are preserved in fossils.
• The team’s taphonomic research explained why some bones were missing from the skeleton.