Leather crust

A leather belt was still in place on the body and was fastened with a metal buckle and keeper. Both of these were cast in a nonferrous alloy and were originally plated with a copper alloy. The leather was in good condition, being intact but lacking flexibility due to burial. The metal had corroded to form a corrosion crust that was consistent with burial duration and conditions. The shoes were intact, consisting of leather uppers, synthetic sole and containing the remains of dyed cotton socks and the small bones of the foot. 

Finished ready-for-use leather, vegetable tanned leather and crust may have a different water content depending on the environment. A water content below 12 15% inhibits the proliferation of micro-organisms. However, sporogenic species may have released spores which withstand unfavourable conditions, e.g. great heat and dryness, but will germinate to a metabolic active state again as soon as favourable conditions appear. 

Catde hide, buffed (depending on crust leather used)... 

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