New Methods for Establishing Time of Death when Dealing with Natural Mummification from Bog Environments

Abstract

Natural mummies are human and animal remains that have been naturally preserved over time. In most cases, these mummies are formed through a combination of environmental factors such as the soil's chemical makeup, temperature, and humidity. One of the most well-known, yet uncommon, examples of natural mummies are those found in bogs, wetland environments characterized by low oxygen levels and acidic water. Mummies discovered in these bog environments will be the focus of this paper. It will discuss the challenges associated with establishing the time of death for natural mummies. Various factors influence the mummification process including the acidity of the water, temperature, and the presence of microorganisms. As a result, traditional methods of estimating the time of death, or post-mortem interval (PMI), may not be reliable. This paper will also review recent advances in the field, including but not limited to stable isotope analysis, DNA sequencing, and proteomics. This will allow researchers to understand the taphonomic processes at play and improve the accuracy of time of death estimations. Overall, this paper provides practical insights into the complex processes involved in determining the time of death in natural mummies and offers information about new technologies useful for researchers in this field.