1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910254129403321

Autore

Fernandez-Jalvo Yolanda

Titolo

Atlas of Taphonomic Identifications : 1001+ Images of Fossil and Recent Mammal Bone Modification / / by Yolanda Fernandez-Jalvo, Peter Andrews

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Dordrecht : , : Springer Netherlands : , : Imprint : Springer, , 2016

ISBN

94-017-7432-3

Edizione

[1st ed. 2016.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (IX, 359 p. 1131 illus., 311 illus. in color.)

Collana

Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology, , 1877-9077

Disciplina

560

Soggetti

Paleontology 

Archaeology

Anthropology

Paleontology

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Nota di contenuto

Introduction and Rationale -- Methods in Taphonomy -- Part I: Surface Modifications -- Linear Marks -- Pits and Perforations -- Discoloration and Staining -- Part II: Modifications Affecting Shape -- Abrasion and Rounding -- Part III: Modifications Penetrating Bone Tissue --  Flaking and Cracking -- Corrosion and Digestion Corrosion -- Part IV: Modification by Loss of Bone Tissue or Skeletal Elements -- Breakage and Deformation -- Disarticulation and Completeness -- Part V: Conclusions -- Why Taphonomy?.

Sommario/riassunto

The aim of the atlas is to provide images of taphonomic modifications, making it as comprehensive as possible with evidence presently available. This volume is intended both as a field guide for identifying taphonomic modifications in the field, and for use in the laboratory when collections of fossils are being analyzed. Images in the book are a combination of scanning electron micrographs, regular photographs, cross-sections of bones and line drawings and graphs. By providing good quality illustrations of taphonomic modifications, with links between similar types of modification, the atlas provides a reference source for identifying the agents responsible for the modifications, the processes by which they were formed, and the potential bias



introduced by the processes. The authors also aim to emphasize on the directions they consider taphonomic studies should be headed.  Firstly, we should seek to quantify the degree of bias introduced into a fossil fauna and to take account of this bias before interpreting the palaeoecology of the fossil site. Secondly, we should recognize that taphonomic modifications increase the information encoded in fossils by identifying perimortem and postmortem contexts. T his provides a more dynamic and realistic view of the past.