Table 2.

Sr isotope data from the soil samples. Key: S = soil; A = intake sample; C = sample taken during retrieval of the remains in skeletonised stage at latest, after decomposition; [Sr]: concentration Sr in ppm in leach; [Pb] = concentration Pb in ppb in leach; * = most samples from donation 3 included in the present study were collected in August 2017, along with soil sample S3C-1. A hurricane delayed the recovery of other skeletal remains (bones), which took place in March 2018 when S3C-2 was collected. All two standard errors (2SE) of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr are < 0.00001

Donation	VU code	Decomposition context	Description	Time since start experiment in days	87Sr/86Sr	[Sr]	[Pb]
-	S0		Random soil sample from unused part of site	0	0.709086	1.48	1.29
1	S1A	Open pit	Initial soil sample prior to body placement (30–40 cm deep)	0	0.709182	2.33	10.57
	S1C		Sample upon retrieval of the remains	219	-	-	-
2	S2A	Burial	Initial soil sample prior to body placement (30–40 cm deep)	0	0.709389	1.63	30.32
	S2C-1		Sample upon retrieval of the remains (20 cm deep, above abdomen)	814	0.709716	1.74	7.26
	S2C-2		Second sample upon retrieval of remains (40 cm deep, in abdomen)	814	0.709671	1.89	46.42
3	S3A	Burial	Initial soil sample prior to body placement (30–40 cm deep)	0	0.709441	1.26	7.20
	S3C-1		Sample upon retrieval of the remains (2017, 60–70 cm deep, feet area)	793	0.709911	1.26	23.93
	S3C-2*		Sample upon retrieval of the remains (2018, 60–70 cm deep, feet area)	990	0.709822	1.51	10.06
4	S4A	Open pit	Initial soil sample prior to body placement (30–40 cm deep)	0	0.709210	2.38	7.37
	S4C		Sample upon retrieval of the remains (30–40 cm deep)	872	0.709451	1.77	19.29
5	S5A	Mummification/ burial	Initial soil sample prior to body placement (30–40 cm deep)	0	0.709417	1.51	0.60
	S5C		Sample upon retrieval of the remains (25 cm deep, in abdomen)	1025	0.709463	-	-