What stage of decomposition is characterized by the presence of mostly dry bones?

The stage of decomposition characterized by the presence of mostly dry bones is skeletal decay. During this advanced stage, soft tissues have largely decomposed, and the process of decomposition has exposed the skeletal remains. This phase can occur months to years after death, depending on environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and the presence of scavengers or insects.

In skeletal decay, the various skeletal elements are increasingly visible as the remaining organic matter diminishes. Conditions like dry environments or burial can accelerate the drying of bones, leading to a landscape where they are prominent. This stage indicates that the decomposition process has nearly completed, and what remains are primarily the bones themselves.

The other stages mentioned correspond to earlier phases in the decomposition process. Fleshy decay involves the breakdown of soft tissues, advanced decay includes a mix of deteriorating flesh and beginning skeletal exposure, while fresh decay occurs right after death when the body is still intact with minimal signs of decomposition. Thus, skeletal decay represents the culmination of decomposition where the organic matter has entirely degraded, leaving predominantly the skeletal framework.