What geological factor can artificially inflate the perceived density of woolly rhino fossils in specific locations?
Answer
River valleys and floodplains concentrating remains over time
While the overall range of the woolly rhino was vast, interpreting the density of skeletal finds requires careful geological consideration because depositional processes can create biases. Specifically, locations like river valleys and floodplains historically acted as natural traps or collection points. Over geological time, water flow concentrates scattered remains, leading to a high density of bones being found there today. Therefore, a location showing a high count of fossils might reflect an ancient river course that effectively trapped remains, rather than necessarily indicating that this specific spot was the absolute center of the most numerous ancient populations.
Related Questions
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