Excarnification is a noun that refers to the process or act of removing or stripping flesh from bones, often in the context of burial or decomposition. Derived from the Latin words "ex" meaning 'out of' and "carnis" meaning 'flesh,' it is primarily used in forensic anthropology or archeology to describe the condition of skeletal remains after the flesh has naturally decomposed or has been intentionally removed.
Excarnification may occur due to various factors including exposure to the elements, environmental conditions, burial practices, or deliberate actions such as excarnation rituals. This term is often associated with ancient burial customs where excarnification was commonly practiced, involving removing the flesh from the bones to create clean or defleshed remains. These defleshed bones, once separated from the soft tissues, were often either preserved or used for further rituals, burial, or display.
In contemporary usage, excarnification primarily pertains to the examination and analysis of human or animal skeletal remains. Forensic scientists, anthropologists, and archaeologists study the state of excarnification to glean important information about a deceased individual or a particular period in history. The study of bones in an excarnified state can reveal details about age, sex, health, diet, trauma, and possible cause of death. Through methods such as carbon dating, DNA analysis, and osteological examinations, modern scientific techniques have allowed for a more comprehensive understanding of skeletal remains during the process of excarnification.
