Tales From The Crypt

Taphonomic Processes on Human Bone

Michael CursioNecropolis Session 9

2010

What is Taphonomy?

“A field of paleontology, paleo-anthropology, and bioarcheology that studies human and animal remains in relation to the post-mortem (after death) transformations that occur in burial sites. In a broader sense, taphonomy is the study of the processes that leads to fossilization, as well as the stages of transformation of remains through the action of environmental factors”

Antemortem“Before Death”-refers to anomalies inflicted on bone well before time of death

Perimortem“Near Death”-refers to anomalies inflicted on bone just before or just after time of death

Postmortem“After Death”-refers to anomalies inflicted on bone long after time of death

Agents of Taphonomy

Human DecompositionRate highly dependant on surrounding conditions-dry v.s humid, exposed v.s covered

Putrefaction-body’s bacteria begins to break down cellular tissue, gas build up, green colour, “slippage”

~20 days after death body begins to turn dark, gas is expelled, formation of adipocere

Mummification and skeletonization-longest period of decomposition, more dependant on soil pH

Relevance to the Sanisera Necropolis

All of our finds are post-mortemTombs and burials-less exposure, contained contextScavenging? Insect Activity?Multiple burials/grave robbingWhat can be understood about the lives of the interred?

Examples: Fracturing

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Antemortem v.s Postmortem

Examples: Rodent Gnawing