exhumation

Exhumation is the act of removing something buried underground. In common usage it refers to disinterment of human remains, but the term also appears in geology and paleontology to describe the exposure of buried rocks or fossils due to erosion or uplift.

In burial contexts, exhumation involves removing a corpse from a grave. It is usually undertaken for reasons such as autopsy, identification of remains, relocation of a body, or reburial after legal or religious considerations. Because it involves human remains, exhumation is regulated by law and requires permission from authorities and often the consent of next of kin. Specialized professionals—pathologists, forensic anthropologists, archaeologists, and mortuary technicians—are involved. The process emphasizes documentation and chain of custody to preserve evidentiary value and to minimize disturbance to surrounding remains. Safety and hygiene measures are standard, and procedures may include exposure of the coffin, careful removal of the casket, and, if necessary, sampling for toxicology, DNA, or other analyses. The outcome can include reburial, cremation, or transfer to another facility.

In geology and paleontology, exhumation refers to the exposure of rocks that were previously buried by sediment or covered by rock. This can occur through erosion, tectonic uplift, or removal of overburden and is used to study Earth history, climate, and tectonics. The rate and timing of exhumation are inferred from isotopic dating, thermochronology, and stratigraphic relationships.