Three early plant taphonomy experiments (1833-1836)

Abstract

Between 1833 and 1836 in England, then in Prussia and finally in France, young botanists experimented with making plant fossils to understand better how such fossils could be formed and how to interpret fossil assemblages. These experiments are described and discussed. Despite these promising beginnings, plant taphonomy was not really developed as a science until much later.

Keywords

• palaeobotany
• göppert
• lindley
• lortet
• geology history
• 19th century