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Decomposition of human bodies and the interpretation of burials in the tropical Pacific
Author(s) -
Spennemann Dirk H.R.,
Franke Bernd
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
archaeology in oceania
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1834-4453
pISSN - 0728-4896
DOI - 10.1002/j.1834-4453.1995.tb00331.x
Subject(s) - atoll , archaeology , chronology , paleontology , geology , geography , reef , oceanography
Burial space on many Pacific Islands is limited, and the same burial location is used over and over again. Many interments intercut each other with the more recent burial disturbing the previous one. In order to provide some time line data on the sequence and relationship of the interments beyond simple relative archaeological chronology, it is necessary to understand the rate of decomposition of buried human bodies on small tropical islands. Exhumations on Mejatto Islands, Kwajalein Atoll, provide some insight into the matter. The decay of materials was documented for an interment period between 40 and 80 months. The assessment shows that body tissue in a state of caseic fermentation can survive up to 70 months, especially where it is contained in semi‐closed spaces, such as trouser legs. Ligaments were found to survive well and retain adhesion to the bone up to 60 months in open conditions, and up to 80 months in closed, water‐impermeable caskets. Hair matter was seen to be well preserved up to 80 months, while skin had already decomposed at 40 months. These data are applied to a Tongan case study.