Contained Decomposition: How Closed Containers of Different Materials Affect the Taphonomic Process

Abstract

   This study examines tissue decomposition of specimens and temperature differential in different sealed containers: a fabric suitcase, a wooden crate, a metal container, and a plastic tote as well as a control specimen not enclosed in a container. The purpose of this study is to confirm the hypothesis that the taphonomic process of the specimens in the enclosures will be slower than that of the control due to a temperature differential between the inside of the containers and the temperature of the experimental site. The specimens are observed multiple times a week and the internal temperatures of the containers as well as the ambient temperature of the experimental site were recorded also. The data show that the internal temperatures are higher than the ambient temperature of the experimental site, especially when the ambient temperature rapidly declines. Results conclude that the hypothesis is incorrect, proving that the majority of the specimens decompose more rapidly than the control specimen.