The taphonomic effects comparison in two empty space burial structures

Abstract

IntroductionTaphonomy helps to understand the issues related to changes of the cadaveric remains in the frame of palaeontology and archaeology as well as in the frame of forensic anthropology. The first objective of the experimental project Taphos-m was to generate a corpus of information on taphonomy to know what taphonomic agents and process could be responsible for the observable effects in field. Materials and methodsThe cadaveric state of Sus scrofa domestica remains and the spatial distribution of the anatomical elements has been described. In the case of skeletonisation, the state of the cortical surface and fragmentation of the bones was evaluated too. Also the pathological and histological analysis has been observed. ResultsThe animal remains buried in the stone tomb were in dried state, while the remains buried in the tile tomb were skeletonised. There were differences in the observable taphonomic effects, particularly in the spatial distribution of the anatomical elements. The lesion in the leg of one animal could be responsible of the maintenance of anatomic articulation. ConclusionsMeteorological data during inhumation and the tomb characteristics are variables that determine the evolution and condition of the remains, but they are not the only ones: the pathological lesions may involve differences in the spatial distribution of the bones and anatomical articulations.