Science Of The Skeleton: Why Don't Bones Decay?

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In humid conditions, bones might break down in a matter of a decade or so, but in a dry climate, it could take thousands of years! Bones do decay, just at a slower rate than other types of organic material and tissue.

When someone passes away, one of the most common phrases heard at the memorial or funeral is “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust”. In that context, the phrase suggests that our bodies come from the earth and eventually return to it. It’s a sentiment that explains the circle of life and helps people cope with the pain of loss and death.

However, that phrase isn’t entirely true…”Dust to dust” suggests that our bodies completely disappear, but this is not always the case. Sometimes bones are found in the earth that have been buried there for thousands of years!

So, although flesh and tissue tend to break down rather quickly, bones have a much more impressive ability to stick around. As it turns out, this subject is a little more complicated than it appears at first glance and is actually quite fascinating once you “dig” a little deeper.

As with most mysteries in science, there is no single answer to this particular question. As it turns out, bones decay at varying rates, and some do not decay at all! A little background knowledge about the decomposition process can be very helpful to properly understand the variability of bones in human and animal bodies.

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