Yeah, it depends upon the manner of burial, and particularly, the type of environment.
In a river? Probably a matter of days -- fish and critters would munch away all the moist bits rather quickly.
In a really wet environment? Probably also a matter of days. The bones would take a little longer, but would still degrade pretty quickly. (There's a reason we don't find fossils in tropical environments...)
In a modern coffin/cemetery? Years. Centuries. Those things are sealed so tight, the bodies are prone to great preservation and mummification, even.
Give me more specific details about the type of burial and the environment, and to what extent you mean when you say "decompose", and I can probably give you a more precise answer.
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On Decomposition
Date: 2007-11-25 03:40 am (UTC)In a river? Probably a matter of days -- fish and critters would munch away all the moist bits rather quickly.
In a really wet environment? Probably also a matter of days. The bones would take a little longer, but would still degrade pretty quickly. (There's a reason we don't find fossils in tropical environments...)
In a modern coffin/cemetery? Years. Centuries. Those things are sealed so tight, the bodies are prone to great preservation and mummification, even.
Give me more specific details about the type of burial and the environment, and to what extent you mean when you say "decompose", and I can probably give you a more precise answer.