Taphonomy is the study of the processes that occur after an organism’s death, including decay, preservation, and fossilization. This field is significant in paleontology for understanding how fossils form, the biases in the fossil record, and the interpretation of past environments and ecosystems.
Reference: Behrensmeyer, A. K., Kidwell, S. M., & Gastaldo, R. A. (2000). “Taphonomy and Paleobiology.” Paleobiology, 26(S4), 103-147.