The human body is simply incredible. In fact, if we think about it, almost every living being has a spectacular anatomy, the result of years of evolution that goes from when we were all small single-celled organisms to today, where we can find the most diverse creatures on earth, so different as close. Organs that coordinate to make us live, to keep us alive, even in the most adverse circumstances. At we are eternal lovers of the human body, a biological wonder capable of the greatest feats. However, today we wanted to touch on a topic that does not concern so much life, but rather death. Have you ever wondered how long it takes for a body to decompose? Come with us to discover it!
How long does it take for a body to decompose?
How long it takes for a body to decompose, experts say, depends on multiple factors. That is, a corpse can decompose faster or slower depending on the conditions in which it is found. Whether it is in an open or closed space, whether it is underwater or underground, or whether it is, for example, mummified, these are all factors that influence the decomposition of a body. Also the body mass we are talking about will influence, among other factors. However, experts agree that corpses, when decomposing, always go through the same four stages: the fresh phase, the bloated phase, the putrefaction phase and, finally, the skeletonization phase. To answer the question about how long it takes a body to decompose, it is important that we know them.
1. Cool phase
The cool phase is the first that happens, and we begin to see it when the heart stops beating. This is when we begin to see a blue coloration in some parts of the body, such as the gums. This is because, when the heart stops, the blood that previously ran throughout our body begins to accumulate due to the effect of gravity. This blue color is often called livor mortis and it is the stage that precedes rigor mortis. After these first signs we can find the rigor mortis, which is when the body becomes stiff and rigid, and it becomes much more difficult to move it from the position it is in. These two stages are what define the fresh phase, and after that we move on to the bloating phase.
2. Bloating phase
Without a doubt, it is very curious to study what happens to your body when you die. The bloating phase begins when you begin to see the first swellings in the abdomen, which are caused by the gases in your body decomposing, which it cannot expel. This is one of the decomposition processes that most influences how long it takes a body to decompose, since if the corpse is outdoors many bugs will be able to deposit their larvae in it, accelerating the decomposition process. If the body is not injured, this process may take longer, but if there are open wounds then the bugs will take advantage of them to lay their eggs there as well.
3. Putrefaction phase
The putrefaction phase begins when you can feel the stench emanating from the corpses. This stench is nothing other than the accumulated gases that we saw in the previous phase, only at this point the insects would be feeding on the tissues of the corpse, thus helping these gases to be released and their stench to be felt. Usually, This stage ends when the larvae emerge from the inside of the body to feed on the outside of it.. Some experts divide the putrefaction phase into two, active putrefaction (which we just told you about) and advanced putrefaction. We see advanced putrefaction when the activity of insects and bugs is reduced, and this occurs because they no longer find much to feed on the corpse.
4. Skeletonization phase
To complete is the skeletonization phase, which begins when only the skeleton and some other remnants, such as cartilage and dry skin, remain of the body. This is the final stage of decomposition. Now, how does this help us understand how long it takes for a body to decompose? Let’s see it.
5. Factors to take into account
Now knowing the stages a body goes through when decomposing, it is now much easier for us to understand why decomposition periods can vary. For example, a body left in a forest in early winter could remain almost intact for the rest of the season, only moving into the second phase when it moves to a warmer climate. This is because during the winter there is less presence of bugs that can feed on the body, and therefore it remains intact for longer. If it is frozen, it will also be able to resist much longer in the same conditions.
Weight is another factor to take into account when answering the question about how long it takes for a body to decompose. Contrary to what one might think, the corpse of an obese person decomposes much faster than that of a thin person. In essence, the answer to this question will depend, above all, on where the body is located, and in what conditions. In a tropical climate a body can reach skeletonization in about two years, however, in the least harmful conditions for the body it can be maintained for up to 500 years. All this without talking about how long a body can last if it is properly mummified.
Another factor to take into account, at least in the case of people who are buried, is the type of soil and the depth of the grave, which will cause these times to vary. Without a doubt, it is incredible what happens to our body when we die. After all, whether quoting the Bible or paraphrasing a great astronomer, dust we were and dust we shall be.
What did you think of our article on how long it takes for a body to decompose? Did you know the different stages of decomposition? And, did you know that a corpse could last so long? Leave us your opinion in the comments, we will be looking forward to reading you!