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Atlas of Taphonomic Identifications

1001+ Images of Fossil and Recent Mammal Bone Modification

  • Comprehensive atlas with 1001 illustrations depicting taphonomic modifications
  • Casts new light on the type of modifications rather than the more traditional agent of modification
  • Will appeal to archaeologists, anthropologists and palaeontologists working in the field and in the laboratory who need to identify the processes affecting fossil bone, as well as pathologists and forensic anthropologists
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology (VERT)

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Table of contents (11 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
  2. Introduction and Rationale

    • Yolanda Fernández-Jalvo, Peter Andrews
    Pages 1-5
  3. Methods in Taphonomy

    • Yolanda Fernández-Jalvo, Peter Andrews
    Pages 7-22
  4. Surface Modifications

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 23-23
    2. Linear Marks

      • Yolanda Fernández-Jalvo, Peter Andrews
      Pages 25-100
    3. Pits and Perforations

      • Yolanda Fernández-Jalvo, Peter Andrews
      Pages 101-153
    4. Discoloration and Staining

      • Yolanda Fernández-Jalvo, Peter Andrews
      Pages 155-166
  5. Modifications Affecting Shape

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 167-167
    2. Abrasion and Rounding

      • Yolanda Fernández-Jalvo, Peter Andrews
      Pages 169-198
  6. Modifications Penetrating Bone Tissue

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 199-199
    2. Flaking and Cracking

      • Yolanda Fernández-Jalvo, Peter Andrews
      Pages 201-234
    3. Corrosion and Digestion

      • Yolanda Fernández-Jalvo, Peter Andrews
      Pages 235-280
  7. Modification by Loss of Bone Tissue or Skeletal Elements

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 281-281
    2. Breakage and Deformation

      • Yolanda Fernández-Jalvo, Peter Andrews
      Pages 283-309
    3. Disarticulation and Completeness

      • Yolanda Fernández-Jalvo, Peter Andrews
      Pages 311-324
  8. Conclusions

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 325-325
    2. Why Taphonomy?

      • Yolanda Fernández-Jalvo, Peter Andrews
      Pages 327-332
  9. Back Matter

    Pages 333-359

About this book

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 context
s. This provides a more dynamic and realistic view of the past.

Reviews

“The Atlas of Taphonomic Identification is an excellent resource for identification of common taphonomic modifications to bone. The information in this book is addressed to a broad audience of archeologists, anthropologists, paleontologists and forensic scientists. … this book is an excellent resource for professionals and students of many different scientific specialties. … I would recommend this for anyone who might encounter taphonomic issues in vertebrate remains, or indeed anyone with an interest in the subject.” (Karen A. Koy,PRISCUM, The Newsletter of the Paleontological Society, Vol. 26 (1), May, 2021)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Dept of Paleobiology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain

    Yolanda Fernandez-Jalvo

  • Dept. Paleontology, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom

    Peter Andrews

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Atlas of Taphonomic Identifications

  • Book Subtitle: 1001+ Images of Fossil and Recent Mammal Bone Modification

  • Authors: Yolanda Fernandez-Jalvo, Peter Andrews

  • Series Title: Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7432-1

  • Publisher: Springer Dordrecht

  • eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental Science, Earth and Environmental Science (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2016

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-94-017-7430-7Published: 11 August 2016

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-94-024-1348-9Published: 12 June 2018

  • eBook ISBN: 978-94-017-7432-1Published: 28 July 2016

  • Series ISSN: 1877-9077

  • Series E-ISSN: 1877-9085

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: IX, 359

  • Number of Illustrations: 820 b/w illustrations, 311 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Paleontology, Archaeology, Anthropology

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access