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• 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…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