taphonomy

tapho- +‎ -nomy. From Ancient Greek τάφος (táphos, “grave”)

• IPA^(key): /tæˈfɒnəmi/

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• Rhymes: -ɒnəmi

taphonomy (countable and uncountable, plural taphonomies)

1. The study of the fate of the remains of organisms after they die, especially the study of fossilization. [From 20th c.]
   • 2002, Marcella H. Sorg, William D. Haglund, “1: Advancing Forensic Taphonomy: Purpose, Theory, and Process”, in William D. Haglund, Marcella H. Sorg, editors, Advances in Forensic Taphonomy, CRC Press, page 11:

     These characteristics are also applicable in forensic taphonomy. In contrast to our approach here, Buikstra and Ubelaker place "premortem and perimortem fractures, wounds, and abrasions" (p. 106) in the chapter on paleopathology, thus separating perimortem trauma from taphonomy.

   • 2005, Memoirs of Museum Victoria, Volume 62, Museums Board of Victoria, page 10:

     Whilst there is some credit in distinguishing between taphonomies for thick-shelled forms and thin-shelled forms in shallower facies, these forms occur in both phacopids and homalonotids.

   • 2011, Steven Pinker, The Better Angels of Our Nature, Penguin, published 2012, page 4:

     Some cases may have an innocent explanation based in taphonomy, the processes by which bodies are preserved over long spans of time.

• amphotony, haptonomy, monopathy