From MOOC FORENSIC ARCHAEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - Durham University - Teesside University - Future Learn
Marco Bertolini
Forensic Taphonomy
Extrinsic
Factors
Plant activity
Fungi
causing
stains
damage
can penetrate the bone
Roots cause
stain
etch
can cause a great deal of physical damage to bones
Body immersed
in water
body can be damaged by
See the paper
wood debris
stones
Movement
rivers
move the body parts away
aquatic ecology matters
barnacles love shoes by
Dr Paola Magni
cold temperature
slows down decomposition
Water-logging
Pit bogs
because
cool temperature
no oxygen (anaerobic condition)
acidic conditions
demineralise bones
preserve well the bodies
stomach content
internal organs
soft tissues
damaging for the bones
mineral exchanges
Temperature
Freeze-thaw
Accelerates decomposition process
Thaw
ice melt into water again
Freeze
water extends within pores
causes
bone fragmentation
Very cold
Oetzi
inhibit microbes
decomposing soft tissues
preserves bodies well
Warmth
Example
Tsunami
particularly if humid
accelerates
decomposition
Animal activity
Soil type
Acidity
Sand body
organic stain of the body
outlined print
demineralised skeletton
Sutton Hoo
will demineralise bones
Alkalinity
better preserves bones
like chalky soil
Coffin / Wrapping
Archaeothanatology
Henri Duday
Université de Bordeaux
Coffin void
different bone position
indication of burial practice
Lead coffin
anaerobic condition
inhibit bacterial action
protection
several hundred years
Depth of burial
Greater depth
better protection
extent rainwater
extremes in temperature
physical disturbances
Shallow grave
Scavengers access to it
