Knowledge Bank

This set of experiments was designed to gain insight into the potential for feathers to fossilize in a variety of depositional settings. Taphonomic experimentation on chicken feathers (Gallus gallus domesticus) took place in six different experimental settings: open air (protected, unprotected), freshwater (oxygenated, anoxic), and salt water (oxygenated, anoxic). Feathers showed surprising resistance to breakdown in most experimental settings. After eight weeks, feathers showed little or no obvious change except in the freshwater, oxygenated setting. Feathers in the freshwater, oxygenated setting began to break down in three weeks; structural integrity of the shaft was reduced, and barbs easily fell from the shaft.