Taphonomic Study of Adult Susscrofa domestica in Equatorial Climate in Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

Taphonomic study is first time conducted in Sarawak, Malaysia. In this research model, two adults female Susscrofa domestica weighed 77 kg each are killed by machete at the heart region. Then, the bodies are put clothes made of pure cotton on to mimic the real human body with clothes. Pure cotton clothes is a favourite for Malaysia's population due to hot and humid climate. Later on, the bodies are being placed in the separate location labelled A and B in jungle. Taphonomic changes is obeserved. All stages of decomposition like fresh stage, bloated stage, active decay stage, advanced decay stage and remains stage are observed and documented. Daily observation on both the bodies is conducted. The ambient temperature of surroundings, internal temperature of bodies, temperature of larvae mass, body surface temperature, soil surface temperature and humidity of air are recorded daily. Time for each stage of decomposition is determined. During the decomposition process, insects and larvae appeared in each stage of decomposition process are collected and preserved for reference. Photos and videos are taken for each subject throughout the research. The hot and humid climate in Sarawak accelerates the decomposition process. The time taken for both bodies to reach remains stage is nine days. Both the cotton clothes are still preserved by the end of research. As a conclusion, an equatorial climate is accelerating the decomposition process of body in Sarawak, Malaysia.