Expressions "broken upon"

[Haihao]

Hi,

Could you please help me out with the passage below?

[Mister Micawber]

I'm not sure what you mean, HH. My effort:

They were like uncovered tree roots (tree roots with no soil over them); as if the earth had been temporarily removed, revealing a thick, writhing, smelly tangle of dark, violated/desecrated life.

I am guessing that he is speaking of a pile of dead bodies?
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Haihao]

Thank you so much, MM, and now it is made as clear as a bell to me.

The author was describing a group of very poor people with awful smell. The context is as follows:

[Mister Micawber]

.
Well, I was close. If the homeless here are any indication, they probably smelled dead.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's