Vertebrate Taphonomy [Paperback]

This comprehensive work of reference covers the wealth of analytical techniques developed to help understand prehistoric animal remains.Archaeologists and paleontologists have become increasingly interested in how and why vertebrate animal remains become, or do not become, fossils. The analytical techniques introduced in this text will help researchers understand the principles of vertebrate preservation.Archaeologists and paleontologists have become increasingly interested in how and why vertebrate animal remains become, or do not become, fossils. The analytical techniques introduced in this text will help researchers understand the principles of vertebrate preservation.In recent years archaeologists and paleontologists have become increasingly interested in how and why vertebrate animal remains become, or do not become, fossils. Vertebrate Taphonomy introduces interested researchers to the wealth of analytical techniques developed by archaeologists and paleontologists to help them understand why prehistoric animal remains do or do not preserve, and why those that preserve appear the way they do. This book is comprehensive in scope, and will serve as an important work of reference for years to come.Preface; 1. What is taphonomy?; 2. The history and structure of taphonomy; 3. Taphonomy in practice and theory; 4. Structure and quantification of vertebrate skeletons; 5. Vertebrate mortality, skeletonization, disarticulation, and scattering; 6. Accumulation and dispersal of vertebrate remains; 7. Frequencies of skeletal parts; 8. Butchering, bone fracturing and bone tools; 9. Other biostratinomic factors; 10. Burial as a taphonomic process; 11. Diagenesis; 12. Taphonomy of fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians; 13. Discussion and conclusions; Glossary. ...a comprehensive, detailed and accurate book that will make taphonomy accessible to specialists and nonspecialists alike. It is essential reading for all vertebrate palaeontologists, archaeologists and palaeoecologils