Opaline phytoliths are commonly used in paleoecological and archaeological research. The quality of these investigations depends on the accuracy and precision of the data obtained. Phytoliths inorganic nature makes them relatively resistant to most post-depositional processes, although individual phytolith preservation can change depending on the burial conditions. Therefore, understanding why and how phytoliths have been preserved is essential to produce high-quality phytolith analyses. This presentation aims to introduce the latest advances in the field of phytolith taphonomy and to explore different approaches to evaluate the preservation state of fossil phytoliths.