We did see those bodies, actually. The two guys who got lost and were stuck in tomb until the snake-alien got them found the whole pile in front of the door.

I figured he was simply that classic "last survivor" who always gets away from the Aliens, like Ripley or Shaw.

Well, yeah. The scientists were idiots, and they were a beard for Weland's leap of faith, which only David & Vickers were even aware of. She didn't give a damn about any of it, and was completely disinterested. The ship's crew had no interest in the scientific aspect, and were merely hired chauffers and their own estrangement from the procedings was probably because they could see what a clusterfuck it was. Meanwhile the scientists are all idiots who make huge leaps and assumptions, and behave more like the religious zealots Hollywood scientists love to condemn, so it's no wonder they are about as professional and organized as a Chinese fire drill.

I get the impression he was just looking for any clues to the Engineers on behalf of Weyland, and totally indifferent to the "science" part of the team.