Fig. 2: Possible effect of different taphonomic decay functions on change point position.
From: Reply to: Accurate population proxies do not exist between 11.7 and 15 ka in North America
Presented here are two hypothetical taphonomic decay functions (green, blue) and a hypothetical fossil count time-series (red). As shown, a slight shift in the rate of taphonomic decay causes a shift in the time at which it intersects with the fossil curve. Consequently, this will shift the timing of the change point and, given significant uncertainties in radiocarbon dating, may have significant ramifications for identifying coincidences between the appearance of Clovis culture and megafauna declines.
