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    The effects of lime on the decomposition of buried human remains. A field and laboratory based study for forensic and archaeological application.

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    PhD_Schotsmans2013_FINALversionII.pdf (89.28Mb)
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    Publication date
    2014-05-02
    Author
    Schotsmans, Eline M.J.
    Supervisor
    Wilson, Andrew S.
    Janaway, Robert C.
    Keyword
    Hydrated lime
    Quicklime
    Taphonomy
    Desiccation
    Soft tissue
    Soil
    Microbiology
    Histology
    Raman spectroscopy
    Rwanda
    Buried human remains
    Decomposition
    Lime burials
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    Rights
    Creative Commons License
    The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.
    Institution
    University of Bradford
    Department
    Department of Archaeological Sciences, School of Life Sciences.
    Awarded
    2013
    
    Metadata
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    Abstract
    The inclusion of lime in burials is observed in historical and archaeological records, in contemporary mass graves and forensic cases. Clearly there are controversies within the literature and there is a general misconception of the effects of lime on decomposition. Recent casework in Belgium and the UK involving the search for human remains buried with lime, have demonstrated the need for a more detailed understanding of the effect of different types of lime on cadaver decomposition and its micro-environment. Field and laboratory experiments using pigs as human body analogues were undertaken to obtain a better understanding of the taphonomic processes that govern lime burials. The changes observed in the experiments were related back to archaeological parallels in which white residues have been found. The combined results of these studies demonstrate that despite conflicting evidence in the literature, hydrated lime and quicklime both delay the initial stages of the decay process but do not arrest it completely. The end result is ultimately the same: skeletonisation. Furthermore this study stresses the importance of the specific microenvironment in taphonomic research and highlights the need for chemical analysis of white residues when encountered in a burial. Not all white powder is lime. White residue could be identified as calcium carbonate, building material, body decomposition products, minerals or degraded lead. This study has implications for the investigation of clandestine burials and for a better understanding of archaeological plaster burials. Knowledge of the effects of lime on decomposition processes also have bearing on practices involving the disposal of animal carcasses and potentially the management of mass graves and mass disasters by humanitarian organisation and DVI teams.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10454/6302
    Type
    Thesis
    Qualification name
    PhD
    Collections
    Theses

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