This chapter applies a bacteriocentric perspective on the decomposition of human remains. First, it presents basic concepts of bacterial growth and metabolism, and factors that govern growth. The factors that govern the growth and metabolism of bacteria will be familiar to the reader, who understands the limiting factors of macroscopic decomposition (i.e. temperature, moisture, etc.). Second, it also presents a brief discussion on the microbiome of living humans, because any discussion on bacterially mediated decomposition should include reference to the symbiotic organisms of the human body. Finally, it discusses recent projects that have explored bacterial communities associated with the decomposition of humans and model organisms. Through culture enrichment and biochemical staining techniques, 17% of the total microbial isolates of archaeological bone and soil contained an identifiable collagenase, but attempts to demonstrate specific isolates as the taphonomic agents of bone bioerosion failed to produce reliable results. (Publisher abstract provided.)
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