CRIM 356 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Taphonomy, Bog, Microstructure
Document Summary
Preservation and decomposition and what they can tell you. End of egyptian period lost their knack at mummification. Little to no water in the air - desiccation of tissues and mummification. Ct scan of mummy, still see some brain tissue. Since eyes are mostly water, they decomp first. When someone dies and their bodies freeze the eyes stay intact. Saponi cation: adipocere tissue (fatty tissue, most, anaerobic area, dries - chalky, forms in weeks - months, can survive for quite a long time. Child"s mandible: child material can be recoverable if you find adult, you can find child material or fetal material. Missing elements: evidence of death - vietnam war memorial, there may not be a body there. Iceman site: 3210m: example of cold mummi cation, similaun lodge: 3017 m, forensic pathologists who found body caused great damage, body 4,000 years old - survived thousands of years in glacial activity.
