1. The study of the processes by which animal and plant remains become preserved as fossils.
2. The scientific study of fossilization.
3. The study of the processes; such as, burial, decay, and preservation which affect animal and plant remains as they become fossilized.
4. The study of the transformation of organic remains after death to form fossil and archaeological remains.

The study includes the processes that disturb and damage bones before, during, and after burial; such as, burial procedures, decay, and preservation. The focus is on an understanding of the processes resulting in the archaeological record.