Skip to content Skip to navigation

Article: Experimental analysis of soft‐tissue fossilization: opening the black box

Palaeontology Cover Image - Volume 61 Part 3
Publication: Palaeontology
Volume: 61
Part: 3
Publication Date: May 2018
Page(s): 317 323
Author(s): Mark A. Purnell, Philip J. C. Donoghue, Sarah E. Gabbott, Maria E. McNamara, Duncan J. E. Murdock, and Robert S. Sansom
Addition Information

How to Cite

PURNELL, M.A., DONOGHUE, P.J.C., GABBOTT, S.E., MCNAMARA, M.E., MURDOCK, D.J.E., SANSOM, R.S. 2018. Experimental analysis of soft‐tissue fossilization: opening the black box. Palaeontology, 61, 3, 317-323. DOI: 10.1111/pala.12360

Author Information

  • Mark A. Purnell - School of Geography, Geology & the Environment University of Leicester University Road Leicester LE1 7RH UK
  • Philip J. C. Donoghue - School of Earth Sciences University of Bristol Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue Bristol BS8 1TQ UK
  • Sarah E. Gabbott - School of Geography, Geology & the Environment University of Leicester University Road Leicester LE1 7RH UK
  • Maria E. McNamara - School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Science University College Cork Distillery Fields, North Mall Cork T23 TK30 Ireland
  • Duncan J. E. Murdock - School of Geography, Geology & the Environment University of Leicester University Road Leicester LE1 7RH UK
  • Duncan J. E. Murdock - Oxford University Museum of Natural History Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PW UK
  • Robert S. Sansom - School of Earth & Environmental Sciences University of Manchester Manchester M13 9PT UK

Publication History

  • Issue published online: 19 April 2018
  • Manuscript Accepted: 31 January 2018
  • Manuscript Received: 30 November 2017

Funded By

NERC. Grant Numbers: NE/I020253/2, NE/K004557/1, NE/P013678/1
BBSRC. Grant Number: BB/N015827/1
European Research Council. Grant Number: H2020‐20140‐ERC‐StG‐637691‐ANICOLEVO
Royal Society Wolfson Merit Award
Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship

Online Version Hosted By

Wiley Online Library (Free Access)
Get Article: Wiley Online Library [Free Access]

Abstract

Taphonomic experiments provide important insights into fossils that preserve the remains of decay‐prone soft tissues, tissues that are usually degraded and lost prior to fossilization. These fossils are among the most scientifically valuable evidence of ancient life on Earth, giving us a view into the past that is much less biased and incomplete than the picture provided by skeletal remains alone. Although the value of taphonomic experiments is beyond doubt, a lack of clarity regarding their purpose and limitations, and ambiguity in the use of terminology, are hampering progress. Here we distinguish between processes that promote information retention and those that promote information loss, in order to clarify the distinction between fossilization and preservation. Recognizing distinct processes of decay, mineralization and maturation, the sequence in which they act, and the potential for interactions, has important consequences for analysis of fossils, and for the design of taphonomic experiments. The purpose of well‐designed taphonomic experiments is generally to understand decay, maturation and preservation individually, thus limiting the number of variables involved. Much work remains to be done, but these methodologically reductionist foundations will allow researchers to build towards more complex taphonomic experiments and a more holistic understanding and analysis of the interactions between decay, maturation and preservation in the fossilization of non‐biomineralized remains. Our focus must remain on the key issue of understanding what exceptionally preserved fossils reveal about the history of biodiversity and evolution, rather than on debating the scope and value of an experimental approach.

PalAss Go! URL: http://go.palass.org/k4w | Twitter: Share on Twitter | Facebook: Share on Facebook | Google+: Share on Google+