Taphonomy and fossilization

In its original sense, taphonomy comprises all processes that lead to the transformation of dead tissue from the biosphere into the lithosphere. Quite recently, debates arose on a possibly broader redefinition of this term. In fact sciences other than paleontology have meanwhile adopted the term, in particular forensic scientists with a focus on the early stages of the disintegration of a corpse, and both physical anthropologists and archaeologists who are mainly concerned with the decomposition of skeletal finds from the Holocene. As a consequence, today the poorly defined term “decomposition” is frequently used more or less synonymously to “taphonomy.” By definition, the whole taphonomic process is subdivided into the four consecutive stages of necrology, biostratinomy, burial, and diagenesis. Fossilization is a rare event, because the normal fate of dead tissue in nature is complete disintegration and the recycling of matter. Very special burial conditions must prevail to turn a body or its parts into a “perfect fossil” where size and shape is preserved. This chapter presents an overview on the most important processes that are relevant for tissue preservation, decomposition, and fossilization.