Mummification Notes
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Transcript of Mummification Notes
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