Lemonade from Lemons: The Taphonomic Effect of Lawn Mowers on Skeletal Remains

Journal of Forensic Sciences
Volume 58, Issue 5, pages 1273–1278, September 2013
Issue published online: 4 Sep 2013

DC Martin M.A., Gretchen R. Dabbs Ph.D. and Lindsey G. Roberts B.S.

Department of Anthropology
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
1000 Faner Drive
Mail Code 4502
Carbondale, IL 62901

Abstract

This study provides a descriptive analysis of the taphonomic changes produced by passing over skeletonized remains (n = 4, Sus scrofa) with three common lawn mowers. Two skeletons were mowed over with a riding lawn mower set at multiple blade heights (10.16, 7.62, 5.08 cm) and one each with a rotary mower (9.53, 6.35 cm) and a mulching mower (6.35 cm). Results show that different types of common lawn mowers will produce different patterns of bone dispersal and fragmentation rates. Overall, skeletal elements projecting upward from the surface frequently exhibited a sheared morphology characterized by a smooth, flat, cut surface (7.0–7.6% of elements). The push mowers yielded a higher frequency of undamaged bone than the riding mower (54.8–61.2% vs. 17.7%), and the riding mower created more catastrophic damage to skeletal elements. Additionally, each mower produced a distinct dispersal pattern of skeletal fragments. The dispersal patterns have been identified as “bull's-eye” (riding), circular (mulching), and discontinuous rectangle (rotary).

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1556-4029.12177/abstract