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Mummification Notes. At Death. Heart & Lungs stop functioning Nutrients & Waste not taken care of Cells move into anaerobic respiration Lactic Acid Blood pools in lower surfaces Pale on Top, Dark on Bottom Calcium permanently leaks into muscle cells Permanent Contraction. Timing.
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At Death • Heart & Lungs stop functioning • Nutrients & Waste not taken care of • Cells move into anaerobic respiration Lactic Acid • Blood pools in lower surfaces Pale on Top, Dark on Bottom • Calcium permanently leaks into muscle cells Permanent Contraction
Timing • Neurological Cells die w/in 3min. • Skin & Bone Cells die w/in 3-7days. • Body Temperature Room Temp w/in 12hours • Body Temperature Cold w/in 24hours • Rigor Mortis w/in 3hours Relaxation after 36hours
Piggy Decomp… • http://www.deathonline.net/decomposition/decomposition/index.htm
Rigor Mortis • Permanent Muscle Contraction & Stiffness • Maximum stiffness at 12hours • As Muscle degrades Stiffness dissipates
Grave Wax • White waxy substance • Accumulates in fatty areas • Bacteria digest fatty acids: • Enzymes + Water + Hydrogen + Fatty Acids • Produces soap residue • Abundance can preserve corpse + prevent “decomp” • However in presence of insects, this will not occur!
“Decomp” • The breaking down of tissues • Triggers: • Body’s natural enzymes • Body’s natural bacteria • Environmental bacteria, chemicals, climate and insects • Will Happen In Presence Of: • Bacteria + Insects • Heat + Moisture
Egyptian Mummification • Purposeful • Outer Tissue: • Dried w/ Salts + Chemicals • Salts + Alcohol will kill bacteria / insects • Covered in cloth, preventing moisture contamination • Inner Tissue: • Organs completely removed • Inside rubbed with Salts + Alcohol
Natural Mummification • (The mummies we saw!) • Mummification not planned for: • “Accidental” • Absence of Insects, Bacteria + Moisture • Individuals buried like “normal” • Conditions: • Frozen • Bog • Dry & Arid
Frozen Mummies • Extreme Cold Temperature • Tissue Dries Out Absence of Liquid Water or Water Vapor • Absence of Bacteria & Insects • Causes: • People of arctic regions • Unfortunate, Untimely death • Accidental
Bog Mummies • Bog = Type of wetland environment dense with dead plant matter. • Conditions: • Water extremely acidic • Temperature Cold • Lack of Oxygen • Absence of Bacteria • Causes: • Common in Murder Cases
Dry & Arrid Mummies • Heat causes fast evaporation of water • Low Humidity (Very Dry Air) • Absence of Bacteria & Insects • Causes: • Normal Burial Accidental Mummification • Unfortunate, Untimely Death
Clues from Mummies • Use preserved tissue + bones to deduce health of individual. • Look for: • Bone disfiguration • Arthritis + Bone Spurs