Much of the work has been aimed at understanding the behaviour of proto-fossils in water as aquatic habitats are the ones most likely to provide the conditions which preserve remains. There are exceptions, of course - an example is the analysis of hominid bone accumulations in South African caves which converted our Australopithecine ancestors from frenzied, blood thirsty cannibals to tasty treats for the local leopards. The taphonomy of bone Bone as a material Bone is the major structural element which supports the vertebrate body. It is highly mineralised but very changeable in life and performs a variety of important physiological functions as well as providing mechanical support. It is, however, vulnerable to destruction and decay like any other bodily remains.
Rapid burial is a near essential for bone preservation.
This is usually accomplished in riverine, lacustrine or marine environments though there can preservation in terrestrial sites under suitable chemical conditions. Occasionally ash deposits originating from volcanic eruptions can preserve splendid examples of animal and plant fossils. The transport of bone to sites of deposition are governed by the same rules which control movement of other sedimentary particles. Thes beds are valuable as they make the business of finding useful numbers of fossils a great deal easier than would otherwise be the case. The proces of mineralisation can be quite rapid and normally takes place under the influence of groundwater following burial.