If you're currently picturing a scenic farm with wide open spaces that are decorated with decomposing bodies after reading the title of this article, you can officially pat yourself on the back. The gruesome image that you're putting together in your head will most likely not be that far off from what this Texas farm actually looks like. All in the name of science, we're giving you the heads up now that the images in this post have a high chance of making your stomach turn.
With plenty of farmland throughout the city of San Marcos, people could easily drive by this particular ranch without thinking twice about it.
But what most may not realize is that the Freeman Ranch isn't your average farm; you won't find any delicious crops or friendly farm animals here.
Instead... you'll quickly discover that this farm is home to roughly 50 decomposing bodies.
Yes, decomposing human bodies! The bodies are donated to Freeman Ranch, home to the Texas State Forensic Anthropology Center - also referred to as FACTS. Many of the bodies that are at the ranch can be found inside two-foot tall cages that make the entire scene look even creepier.
Texas State University created the body farm so that students would have the rare opportunity to study how the human body decomposes.
Unfortunately it's 2017 and we still have yet to discover any real-life superheroes that are willing to take over the duty of solving any and all crimes. In the meantime, we get to rely on the incredible work done by Forensic Anthropologists. With only a very small number of farms like this in the country, Freeman Ranch has become quite valuable to people who hope to get jobs in this line of work.
Before bodies are put out into the farm, students handle the task of cleaning off the bodies and cataloging them.
Bodies that are donated to the farm will forever remain at Freeman Ranch; after the bodies decompose they're stored in a research facility where they'll be studied throughout future years. While those who decide to donate bodies will never get the remains back, the farm does allow families to make arrangements to visit the donated body.
The farm is equipped with a sophisticated security system, although they've reportedly never had any issues with unwanted visitors attempting to break in.
The idea of this place is creepy and upsetting to many, but students of Texas State University have the chance to learn a great deal from this morbid farm. Some bodies at the farm are kept in cages where only bacteria and insects can make their way to them, while others are left out in the open on the farm where wildlife and other elements can effect the body's decomposition.
To find out other informational facts about the body farm or how you can donate, click here.
Did you realize this type of farm existed in San Marcos? To little surprise, this isn't the only head-turning location you'll find in our state. Take a look at this list of the 10 Weirdest Places You Can Possibly Go In Texas!
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