Vertebrate Taphonomy

Taphonomy studies the transition of organic matter from the biosphere into the geological record. It is particularly relevant to zooarchaeologists and paleobiologists, who analyse organic remains in the archaeological record in an attempt to reconstruct hominid subsistence patterns and paleoecological conditions. In this user-friendly, encyclopedic reference volume for students and professionals, R. Lee Lyman, a leading researcher in taphonomy, reviews the wide range of analytical techniques used to solve particular zooarchaeological problems, illustrating these in most cases with appropriate examples. He also covers the history of taphonomic research and its philosophical underpinnings. Logically organised and clearly written, Vertebrate Taphonomy is an important update on all previous publications on archaeological faunal remains.

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