Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
  1. Home
  2. Books
  3. Vertebrate Taphonomy
  • Cited by 1296
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Online publication date:
August 2014
Print publication year:
1994
Online ISBN:
9781139878302
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139878302
Subjects:
Archaeological Theory and Methods, Archaeology, Archaeological Science
Series:
Cambridge Manuals in Archaeology
Information

Book description

Taphonomy studies the transition of organic matter from the biosphere into the geological record. It is particularly relevant to zooarchaeologists and paleobiologists, who analyse organic remains in the archaeological record in an attempt to reconstruct hominid subsistence patterns and paleoecological conditions. In this user-friendly, encyclopedic reference volume for students and professionals, R. Lee Lyman, a leading researcher in taphonomy, reviews the wide range of analytical techniques used to solve particular zooarchaeological problems, illustrating these in most cases with appropriate examples. He also covers the history of taphonomic research and its philosophical underpinnings. Logically organised and clearly written, the book is an important update on all previous publications on archaeological faunal remains.

Reviews

"...a comprehensive, detailed and accurate book that will make taphonomy accessible to specialists and nonspecialists alike. It is essential reading for all vertebrate palaeontologists, archaeologists and palaeoecologists and provides crucial background information for workers in other disciplines who use fossil material, especially molecular biologists attempting to extract DNA from fossil bone." Nature

"Vertebrate Taphonomy succeeds through a combination of clear writing, high-quality illustrations, and Lyman's encyclopedic knowledge...A good discussion, extensive up-to-date bibliography, and generally excellent glossary round out this highly recommended volume." E. Delson, Choice

"...bold in its wide coverage....Readers will see wisdom in this book, a welcome development in a field where all publications are touted as final authorities....fair and fluid, comprehensive and nonconfrontational....you leave educated and edified." Gary Haynes, Journal of Middle Atlantic Archaeology

"Lyman's book is a major scientific contribution and is both an excellent teaching tool for advanced students and a helpful guide to practicing professionals. The author successfully integrates existing knowledge and approaches from a vast array of sources....Moreover, the level of scholarship is excellent....Readers are provided with a comprehensive array of analytical alternatives and equally important, Lyman encourages readers to make their own--albeit better informed--decisions in relation to the problems." American Antiquity

"...all scientists who are interested in taphonomy or zooarchaeology can rejoice at the publication of Vertebrate Taphonomy by R. Lee Lyman....an enormous accomplishment for such a broadly based book....essential for anyone interested in taphonomy....This book is a gift to all zooarchaeologists...." Curtis W. Marean, Evolutionary Anthropology

Refine List

Actions for selected content:

Select all | Deselect all
  • View selected items
  • Export citations
  • Download PDF (zip)
  • Save to Kindle
  • Save to Dropbox
  • Save to Google Drive

Save Search

You can save your searches here and later view and run them again in "My saved searches".

Please provide a title, maximum of 40 characters.
Cancel
×

Contents

Contents

Metrics

Altmetric attention score

Full text views

Total number of HTML views: 0
Total number of PDF views: 0 *
Loading metrics...

Book summary page views

Total views: 0 *
Loading metrics...

* Views captured on Cambridge Core between #date#. This data will be updated every 24 hours.

Usage data cannot currently be displayed.