Chapter 3 Natural Processes of Preservation

Mummification

Deviation in the natural cycle of decomposition

More common in some environments vs others

Basic Requirement of Natural Mummification Environment

Prevents/suppresses Decomposition

Specific Requirement for Natural Mummification Environment

Prevents Self-Digestion of Body Tissues, Bacterial Decay, and Fungal Decay

Decay Resumes When:

Mummified body is subjected to change in environment

Ex: body preserved in glacial ice thaws

Permafrost

When ground is frozen year-round starting at a certain depth

First Type of Cold Mummification

Adipocere: body fat is converted to grave wax in moist environments with little oxygen (Glacier bodies)

Second Type of Cold Mummification

Dehydration: soft tissue freeze-dries because water contained in body is slowly extracted in a frozen/crystallized state

Mummification in Raised Bogs

cold, oxygen-poor environment that suppresses putrefaction and preserves skin, hair, and internal organs but NOT bones, muscles, or fat tissues; it turns skin copper-brown and hair red

Raised Bogs Mummification Chemical Process:

Peat mosses contain sphagnum → plant sections die off slowly releasing sphagnum → transforms into Brown Humic Acid → Acid bonds with calcium and oxygen growing bacteria called Polyphenols → those initiate Tanning Process → preserves hair, skin, etc.

Primary Caves (e.g. lava caves)

formed at the same time as surrounding rock

Secondary Caves (e.g. stalactite caves)

created after surrounding rocks have formed

Caves Mummify Bodies by:

having consistent temperature and humidity, absolute darkness (bacterial breakdown slows), barely any scavenging animals, can occur in both cold and hot climates

Soft Tissue Preservation

Caused by dehydration resulting from dry air

Desert Mummification

called “dry mummies” where dry, cold, or hot air and direct sunlight quickly releases water from dead body where preservation of organs vary