Taphonomy - Sediments

10 important questions on Taphonomy - Sediments

Why do we study the taphonomy sensu lato of sediments? What do we want to know?

  • Site use
  • Activity areas
  • Fire
  • Chemical changes to sediments leading to poor preservation of other remains  

What are the stages in taphonomy sensu lato of sediments?

  • Parent rock
  • Deposition in sites
  • Disturbances by humans and other animals
  • Burial
  • Post-depositional processes
  • Excavation

Rates of burial (sediments)

  • How quickly are those layers of sediment covered by other layers?
    • Trying to understand the timeframe per layer
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

Slow post-depositional processes sediments

  • Diagenesis
  • Chemical and physical processes
    • Compaction of the sediment (due to removal of water)
    • Sedimentation of the sediment (water bringing in more minerals -> sediments bind together)

On what do post-depositional processes have effect? (sediments)

What you see in the sedimentary record

Sediments research: parent rock

Source of grains in sediment

Sediments research: deposition in sites

  • Animal agent
  • Wind
  • Water

Sediments research: disturbances by humans and animals

  • Digging
  • Fire
  • Trampling
  • Burrows

Sediments research: post-depositional processes

  • Fast: surface water, animals
  • Slow: diagenesis, freeze-thaw, gravity, water table change

Sediments research: excavation

  • Methods
  • Disturbances

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo