The degree of scatter can be variable, as are the agencies that cause disarticulation. Often parts are disarticulated but preserved within spacial proximity to one another, this may indicate separation during bloating and soft-part decomposition or localized disturbance by trampling, soil movement, plant growth, scavenging, and/or water currents too weak to move bones very far. Floating results in widely scattered bones.



These bones have been disarticulated, but not scattered. Unless scattering processes occur, they will be burried and preserved within spacial proximity to one another.