Final answer:
Taphonomy is a branch of paleontology that studies the fossilization process. It is important to paleoanthropologists as it helps them understand how fossils are formed and preserved, providing valuable insights into human evolution over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Taphonomy is a branch of paleontology that studies the fossilization process. Fossils can be preserved in three main ways: unaltered soft or hard parts, altered hard parts, and trace fossils. Paleoanthropologists, who study the fossil evidence of human ancestors, find taphonomy important as it helps them understand how fossils are formed and preserved, providing valuable insights into human evolution over time.