Bodyfossiling

Bodyfossiling is a process in which the remains of a deceased person are preserved in a manner similar to that of a fossil. This technique is often used in forensic anthropology to study the decomposition process and to understand the effects of various environmental conditions on human remains. The term "bodyfossiling" was coined by forensic anthropologist Dr. William Bass to describe the deliberate preservation of human remains for educational and research purposes.

The process typically involves the following steps: the body is placed in a controlled environment, often a sealed container, to prevent contamination and to maintain a consistent temperature and humidity. The container is then buried in a suitable location, such as a controlled burial site or a designated area within a laboratory. Over time, the body decomposes naturally, but the controlled environment helps to slow down the process and to preserve the remains in a fossil-like state.

Bodyfossiling is not a common practice and is generally only carried out in specific research settings. The preserved remains are then studied using various techniques, including microscopy, radiography, and chemical analysis, to gain insights into the decomposition process and to develop methods for identifying and analyzing human remains in archaeological and forensic contexts. The use of bodyfossiling has contributed to the field of forensic anthropology by providing valuable data on the long-term preservation of human remains and by helping to refine techniques for the identification and analysis of ancient and modern human remains.