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taphonomy

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noun ta·phon·o·my \ tə-ˈfä-nə-mē , ta- \

Definition of taphonomy

:the study of the processes (such as burial, decay, and preservation) that affect animal and plant remains as they become fossilized; also :the processes themselves
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taphonomic

play \ˌta-fə-ˈnä-mik\ adjective
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taphonomist

play \tə-ˈfä-nə-mist, ta-\ noun

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Origin and Etymology of taphonomy

Greek taphē burial + English -nomy

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