University of Bristol EARTH SCIENCES

Derek Briggs and his fellow researchers at the University of Bristol use the results from taphonomic experiments to interpret the process of fossilisation, by studying the rate of decay and mineralisation of various extant (living) and fossil specimens.

Fossilisation is time dependant. But although the age of most fossils is measured in millions of years (and some diagenetic processes are certainly long term), whether or not an organism is destined to become a fossil may be determined very rapidly (Briggs 1995).

Only by simplifying conditions and exploring the effects of changing variables can we investigate the most important factors that influence fossilisation, and determine their role.

Experiments may also reveal which organisms are likely to be preserved under particular conditions, thus identifying biases in the fossil record. Hence they have important implications for palaeoenvironmental and palaeoecological studies, as well as interpretations of organism diversity in various contexts.

Determining the stages of decay, mineralisation and or fossilisation will give us a better understanding of the parameters involved in the preservation of exceptional fossils. Rare fossil assemblages are rich sources of palaeontological information, termed Lagerstatten ( rocks of rich in fossils, whether quantitive or qualitative) these beautiful fossils are essentially snap-shots through time, and the nature of their preservation has been the driving force behind the developing field of experimental taphonomy.

Some of the most beautifully preserved fossils are well known and include the Burgess Shale of British Columbia, The Santana fossils of Brazil, the soft-bodied Ediacaran fauna from Australia/ Namibia, The Soom Shale of South Africa, and the Solnhofen limestone of Germany. Other sites are less well known but are of equally exquisite preservation and include the Hunsruck Slate of Germany and Monte Bolca of Northern Italy.

A reconstruction of the late Vendian seafloor showing examples of the Ediacaran biota from several different localities, including several of the Nama forms, including center stage Dickinsonia.