bog-bodies

[bog-bodies]

The Elling Woman

#Elling Woman #Bog Bodies #Bog People #archaeology #history

[bog-bodies]

The Hildremose Woman

#Hildremose Woman #Bog Bodies #Bog People #archaeology #history

[bog-bodies]

The Cashel Man

The Cashel Man was discovered in 2011 by a bog worker in Cashel bog in County Laois. Therefore, The Cashel Man was investigated by archaeologists when they unearthed the remains of a man preserved in an Irish peat bog, marking the oldest European bog body ever found with skin still intact. Experts determine that the remains of Cashel Man are extremely well preserved for his age. Radiocarbon dating suggests that he is the possibly the earliest bog body with intact skin known anywhere in the world. It is assumed that the Cashel Man is from the early Bronze Age in Ireland about 4,000 years ago. However seeing as the body was xcmpressed by the peat which has preserved his remains, it resulted in the body looking like a squashed, dark leather holdall. Furthermore, there is one arm that stretches out and upward and this could tell us something about the possibly deliberate violent death that he might have suffered at his time.

The Cashel Man is now being examined at the National Museum of Ireland's research base in Dublin. 

(source: http://www.livescience.com/38983-irish-bog-body.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24053119)

#cashel man #history #archaeology #bog bodies #bog people

[bog-bodies]

The first picture shows the head before preservation. 

The second shows the head after preservation.

(source: http://www.tollundman.dk/konservering.asp)

#tollund man #archaeology #history #bog bodies #bog people

[bog-bodies]

The Preservation of the Tollund Man

When the Tollund Man was discovered in 1950, scientists had never been faced with the task of preserving and examining a bog body. The two museum conservators who did the excavation of the Tollund Man at the National Museum of Denmark, were also the ones who were going to try to attempt to preserve his head.

All living organisms are made of cells. In order to preserve a bog body, scientists would have to find some kind of substance to replace the bog water which was currently filling out the hollow spaces in the cells within the body. If the bog water were drained without being replaced by something else, they would lose their colour and therefore shrink. As a result, researchers wanted to try to replace the bog water in the cells with wax. But since they knew that the melted wax wasn't going to mix with bog water, they had to take a detour. Firstly, they put the head in alcohol which replaced the bog water, then they put it in toluol, which is a liquid of dissolution. Finally, they then replaced the toluol with liquid paraffin.

This caused the cells to contain liquid which now could be mixed with wax. They chose bees' wax which melts and is non-perishable so it won't damage the body. This is due to the fact that archaeologists have discovered a candle made of bees' wax from the viking age which had been preserved for more than 1,000 years in the ground. Therefore, the bees' wax was insinuated into the cells and replaced the paraffin. After six months of preservation the body, scientists were now able to remove the Tollund Man's head from the container when it was cooled off and the wax left on the outside of the skin was then washed off. It was clear that this method of preservation had been successful in preserving the head perfectly as all the features of the face had been preserved whereas the head in general had shrunk ever so slightly.

Unfortunately, the body itself was not preserved but dried out, leaving mainly the bones. However, it does mean that the bones and soft parts will give the scientists the chance to make new examinations of the Tollund Man in the future.

(source: http://www.tollundman.dk/konservering.asp )

#tollund man #archaeology #history #bog bodies #bog people

[bog-bodies]

How did the Tollund Man die?

The Tollund Man was examined as if he was the victim of a murder. The examination took place at Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark shortly after he was discovered at the bog. The examiners had discovered that his neck was not broken, but was hanged due to new examinations which revealed among other things, that his tongue had become distended which is a characteristic seen in a hanged person. This is supported by the fact that he was discovered with a rope noose around his neck and lacerations were clearly seen around his neck.

However, the context of his death is unknown. It is assumed that the Tollund Man was a sacrificial victim dedicated to the Spring goddess. He was discovered with an iron neck ring which was believed to be symbolic of the Spring goddess at the time. His body had been placed in a foetal position which indicates that he was respected and well treated after his passing, an indication that he was not a common criminal, and he now belonged to the gods in death. Furthermore, a small statue doll of the spring goddess was also found near his body, confirming that the Tollund Man was indeed a gift to the gods. This supports that the Tollund Man was a sacrifice. 

At the time of the Tollund Man, there were a variety of burial customs in Denmark. However, they all had one thing in common which was that cremation was part of them all. Except for the people who were ritually sacrificed for the gods. Furthermore, they were placed in bogs without being cremated. That is also why it is most likely that the Tollund Man was therefore sacrificed to the gods, the spring goddess specifically. 

(source: http://www.tollundman.dk/haengning.asp

http://jameskonstanahr.weebly.com/tollund-man.html )

#tollund man #archaeology #history #bog people #bog bodies

[bog-bodies]

About the Tollund Man. 

#tollund man #archaeology #bog bodies #bog people #history

[bog-bodies]

The discovery of the Tollund Man

The Tollund Man is probably the most disturbing of all the bog bodies and is also probably the world's most famous bog body. His face is perfectly preserved and lifelike. He could almost be sleeping, were it not for the unnatural color of his face. He still wears a hat that was on his head at the time of death. He was between 30-40 years-old when he died. There was a rope around his neck and archaeologists believe that he was a sacrifice to the fertility goddesses. It was believed that he was hanged and then thrown into the bog.

The Tollund Man was found in a bog in Denmark in 1950. His mummified remains date back more than 2,500 years.  However, most bodies found in bogs date back to the Iron Age.The Tollund Man at first glance looked like he had just died a few days before discovery. The body was discovered by two brothers and their family who were digging for peat to be used as fuel. They believed that it must have been the victim of a recent murder since it appeared so fresh. 

His skin was very well preserved, however, some of his bones had disintegrated over time. Not all his organs survived, but his stomach was still in place and was complete with remains of his last meal which contains porridge with seeds and vegetables. Unfortunately, the preservation techniques of the 1950's did not preserve the Tolland Man very well. To this day, all that remains is his head, and it can be found in the Silkeborg Museum in Denmark.

(source: http://voices.yahoo.com/bog-bodies-famous-tullund-man-queen-of-6345554

http://www.tollundman.dk/et-lig-dukker-op.asp)

#bog bodies #bog people #tollund man #archaeology #history

[bog-bodies]

The lifestyle/culture and cause of death of the Lindow Man

The conditions in the bog meant that the body’s skin, hair and most of his internal organs were very well preserved. The use of radiocarbon dating shows that he must have died between 2 BC and AD 119. After various investigations, archaeologists have been able to determine more information about the Lindow Man’s life. For example: his age, which was about mid-20s, and he was around 168 cm tall and weighed 130lbs. It was believed that he had probably done little hard, manual work, due to his finger nails as they were well manicured. This could imply that he was likely a high status member of his society. There is no evidence that he was unwell when he died, but he was suffering from parasitic worms. Investigations show that his last meal probably included unleavened bread made from wheat and barley.

Despite the fact that bog bodies are well known for their unique physical characteristics and often notable signs of traumatic injuries, the Lindow Man is perhaps one of the more gruesome tales that these bodies have to tell. It is evident that the man had met a horrific and violent death. He was struck on the top of his head twice with a heavy object, probably with a narrow bladed axe. He also received a vicious blow in the back, which was assumed to be from someone’s knee which as a result, broke one of his ribs. He also had a thin cord of rope tied around his neck which could have been used to strangle him and break his neck. There’s also the possibility that he was hung or garrotted. His neck was then also cut, however this could indicate that the leather was actually a tourniquet to control flow of blood, perhaps during some ritual.

Finally, he was placed face down in a pool in the bog. Furthermore, this sequence leading up to his death suggests that his death may have been a ritual killing. There are various theories that have been put forward to explain the Lindow Man’s death. Some people have argued that it was possible that Lindow Man was a scapegoat of his local community who blamed him for the failure of crops, disease or famine. Furthermore, some people have argued that he was the victim of a ritual murder and sacrificed to the Gods by Druids.

The Druids were priests who carried out religious rituals in Iron Age Britain. Archaeologists rarely find direct evidence for priests in the Iron Age. But they often find evidence for religious rites and sacrifices and many of these were probably carried out by Druids. There is little archaeological evidence of ritual and religious activity in Iron Age Britain, although most evidence we do have has been obtained through bogs. Whether the Lindow Man’s death was murder or ritualistic is still to be determined, although his injuries appear to be non-accidental. One theory is of ritual garroting, or strangulation, although there does not appear to be substantial post-mortem evidence to support this. There is not enough conclusive evidence to say that this bog body was part of a Celtic religious ceremony, but may have in fact been an Iron Age case of mugging due to the Lindow Man’s high social status.

(source: https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/l/lindow_man.aspx http://bogbodies.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/the-lindow-man/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2008/04/18/180408_lindow_man_pete_feature.shtml )

#lindow man #archaeology #bog bodies #bog people #history

[bog-bodies]

The Conservation of the Lindow Man

The Lindow Man was very well preserved in a peat bog in Cheshire for nearly two thousand years and this was due to the conditions that the peat bog held. The acidic, oxygen free conditions within the bog had decreased the rate at which the body decayed. Therefore, under these conditions, organic material, for example, skin and hair, can be excellently preserved. This is the most common cause of preservation of human bodies in northern Europe. Decay is likely to be established in excavations unless a body is kept at a low temperature. The body of the Lindow Man, together with the surrounding peat, was stored in cool conditions and was slowly excavated and examined.

As a result, to prevent the body from drying out in a way that couldn't be controlelled, it was sprayed at intervals with cold, distilled water. Parts of the body not being worked on were covered to prevent evaporation.

After the front of the body had been excavated, a support mount was created to fit the contours of the body itself. This allowed the body to be turned over and a thorough scientific examination could be carried out easily by researchers. International discussions helped to determine the best way to preserve the body. After extensive testing, it was concluded that freeze drying was the best way. The freeze drying process was seen as a success. After some final cleaning and repair, the Lindow Man was eventually placed on display in a constructed and environmentally controlled showcase.

(source: https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/articles/c/conserving_the_lindow_man.aspx)

#lindow man #history #archaeology #bog bodies #bog people

[bog-bodies]

This video shows the discovery and the investigation of the Lindow Man. 

#lindow man #archaeology #bog bodies #bog people #history

[bog-bodies]

The discovery of the Lindow Man

(the bog in which the body was found)

The Lindow Man, who was nicknamed ‘Pete Marsh’, is Britain’s best known and best preserved Iron Age bog body. And was discovered on the peat on Lindow Moss near Mobberley in North West England by workmen in August 1984.  A worker at a peat-cutting company on the edge of Lindow Moss in Cheshire pulled what looked like a lump of wood off the conveyor-belt and when it hit the ground, the peat fell off to reveal a preserved human leg.

As a result, various archaeologists had been called onto this site to examine it. Archaeologist Rick Turner was shown the area from which the peat had been cut the next day. He eventually noticed a flap of skin protruding from the section. Over the next few days, an archaeological team came on site. They got to work and they lifted an entire block of peat by cutting down on three sides and sliding a sheet of plywood beneath. The part of the body was taken first to the mortuary at Macclesfield District General Hospital nearby and the local police were investigating a murder in the area. However, it was quickly established by radiocarbon dating that the bog body was approximately 1,000 years old. The Lindow Man was quickly passed into the care of the British Museum. It was then thoroughly examined by a team of scientists at the British Museum. Their research has allowed us to gain more information about this person in terms of his health, his appearance and how he might have died than any other prehistoric person found in Britain. 

Eventually, in September that year, using a combination of fingers, water jets, and various wooden and plastic tools, archaeologists picked at the peat, working back from the flap of skin that was already exposed, to reveal more of the body within. The work was complicated by the need to keep the remains below 4ºC to prevent decay. The Lindow Man turned out to reveal the head, arms, and upper torso of an adult man of about 25 years. Finally, in June and September 1988,  certain parts were discovered such as, parts of the buttocks, left leg, and the right thigh of an adult male. These pieces of the body were found only 15m from where the Lindow Man had been discovered, so they were assumed to be the missing pieces of his body. 

The appearance of the body included: a leathery skin with a yellowish hue and wrinkles clearly visible. His head was distorted over time which as a result, gave his face a slumped appearance with an anguished expression. Unusually for a bog body, the Lindow Man had a beard and a mustache. Apart from this, he was naked except for a fox fur armband.

The radiocarbon dates showed that the body may have been dated around the 1st century AD.

(source: https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/l/lindow_man.aspx http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2008/04/18/180408_lindow_man_pete_feature.shtml http://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/features/who-killed-lindow-man.htm)

#lindow man #archaeology #bog bodies #bog people #history

[bog-bodies]

Bog bodies are tremendously well preserved and they are ancient corpses that have been discovered all over northwestern Europe. Typically bog bodies are found when workers drain sphagnum bogs and extract the peat moss on the bog that they are working on. No one completely knows for sure how many bog bodies have been uncovered in the past. Today, it has been assumed that there are documented discoveries of 700 bog bodies.

Bog bodies can be found in a variety of states. Some are found in just skeletons and can only reveal a limited amount of information to scientists and archaeologists. Others are partially preserved and may still hold some clues as to who they were or how they died. Finally, there are those that have been completely preserved with their clothes still intact and their facial expressions the very same as they had been when they were buried. The most intriguing thing about these intact bog bodies is what the reveal about the manner in which they died and how they lived in the past. Through studying these bog bodies, we can gain so much information on how and why they died.

There is a large number of bog bodies that have been unearthed which did not die of natural causes. Some archaeologists and scientists believe that most bog bodies may have been victims of ritual sacrifices. There are some bog bodies that leave evidence as to whether or not they were murdered. I will talk about 5 or 6 infamous bog bodies on this blog. 

Bog bodies have also been found in other places, but none are as well preserved as the mysterious bog bodies of northwestern Europe. These bodies have given quite a bit of insight into their own society and how they lived, but they somehow still hold secrets. We can gain an insight of the food they ate, the weapons they used and the clothing that they wore at the time, but the reason if some of them were murdered is still debated and left unanswered. 

(source http://listverse.com/2012/10/28/bog-bodies-the-ancient-dead/)

#archaeology #bog bodies #bog people