— taphonomic /taf'euh nom"ik/ , adj. — taphonomist , n.
/teuh fon"euh mee/ , n. Paleontol., Anthropol.
1. the circumstances and processes of fossilization.
2. the study of the environmental conditions affecting the preservation of animal or plant remains.
[ 1965-70; táph ( e ) grave + -O- + -NOMY ]