Mysterious Bog People from the Mysterious Bog People from the pastpast

Who are Bog People?Who are Bog People?

Preservation ProcessPreservation Process

Pathology of Bog PeoplePathology of Bog People

Discovery’s from the Iron AgeDiscovery’s from the Iron Age

Sacred places they remainSacred places they remain

ConclusionConclusion

ReferencesReferences

Who really are Bog People?Who really are Bog People?

Bogs of ancient times are mystical and there are hundreds of them still remain Bogs of ancient times are mystical and there are hundreds of them still remain through out Northeastern Europe. It wasn’t until peat harvesting and land through out Northeastern Europe. It wasn’t until peat harvesting and land reclamation activities started that people such as men, women, and children had reclamation activities started that people such as men, women, and children had come to light at some point with in the peat cutting activities through out Europe. come to light at some point with in the peat cutting activities through out Europe. These were best known as “bog bodies” these specific bodies showed a great These were best known as “bog bodies” these specific bodies showed a great amount of variation through preservation. They are well-preserved complete amount of variation through preservation. They are well-preserved complete bodies that dated all the way back from 8000 BC to early medieval period. We bodies that dated all the way back from 8000 BC to early medieval period. We still don’t know for certain how or why theses people were chosen for such a still don’t know for certain how or why theses people were chosen for such a burial. Most archeologists believe that these people were unlucky. In fact, many burial. Most archeologists believe that these people were unlucky. In fact, many believe that were relics from sacrifices to celebrate military victories or even believe that were relics from sacrifices to celebrate military victories or even people that were executed for punishment for crimes.people that were executed for punishment for crimes.

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Grauballe Man was found in 1952 in Nebelgård Mose, a small bog in Jutland, Grauballe Man was found in 1952 in Nebelgård Mose, a small bog in Jutland,

Denmark. (Forhistorisk Museum, Højbjerg, Denmark)Denmark. (Forhistorisk Museum, Højbjerg, Denmark)

The Perfect CorpseThe Perfect Corpse

Bog bodies are preserved human bodies found in peat bogs. The exquisite preservation of these corpses comes courtesy of some peculiar bog chemistry. Bogs begin when moss dominates a low-lying

patch of land, making the soil become waterlogged and acidic. Bacteria then have a difficult time surviving in such environment and therefore

can’t break down the dead moss and other vegetation, which in its place, simply pile up and become peat. Under certain conditions, the

acidity of the water, the cold temperature and the lack of oxygen combine to tan the body's skin. Skeletal preservation is very rare in these bodies, as the acid in the soil is extremely damaging to bone.

Preserved corpses of humans and animals have been discovered in bogs through out Britain, Ireland, northern Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark. It is not readily apparent if a body has been buried in a bog for years, decades, or even centuries. However, during

the 20th century, forensic and medical technology was urbanized which allow researchers to identify their age. Unlike a lot of ancient human remains, these bodies have skin and internal organs because, of the extraordinary conditions through preservation. This makes scientists

able to study their skin, restructure their appearance and even determine what their last meal was by their stomach contents.

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Pathology of Bog PeoplePathology of Bog People► studies certainly do suggest studies certainly do suggest

that many of the victims were in poor that many of the victims were in poor health, although it’s unattainable to health, although it’s unattainable to know how they compared with their know how they compared with their fellow people. But, Almost all had fellow people. But, Almost all had intestinal worms, and many sustained intestinal worms, and many sustained broken bones for years before their broken bones for years before their death. Van der Sanden has identified death. Van der Sanden has identified a rare bone disease in a woman from a rare bone disease in a woman from the Netherlands. Her arms and legs the Netherlands. Her arms and legs were severely stunted, signs of a were severely stunted, signs of a disorder called dyschondrosteosis. disorder called dyschondrosteosis. It’s a very rare pathology, not seen It’s a very rare pathology, not seen these days, he says. these days, he says.

Bog people also suffered Bog people also suffered from more common problems, like from more common problems, like osteoporosis, arthritis, extra digits, osteoporosis, arthritis, extra digits, scoliosis, rheumatism, and arrested scoliosis, rheumatism, and arrested growth. People stop growing as a growth. People stop growing as a result of malnutrition, and judging result of malnutrition, and judging from the contents of the mummies’ from the contents of the mummies’ intestines, their diet was anything but intestines, their diet was anything but hearty. Researchers have probed their hearty. Researchers have probed their guts and discovered particles of guts and discovered particles of grain, seeds, and weeds. Most of the grain, seeds, and weeds. Most of the victims consumed a meager last meal victims consumed a meager last meal of thin gruel, made from barley, flax, of thin gruel, made from barley, flax, and other weeds, apparently washed and other weeds, apparently washed down with a few gulps of bog water down with a few gulps of bog water and peat moss in their guts as well. and peat moss in their guts as well.

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The skeleton of Gadevang Man was discovered in 1940, during peat cutting in a bog on Sealand in Denmark. The man was aged 35 to 50 when he died, sometime between 480 and 60 B.C. In the frontal and left parietal bone of his skull is an almost circular opening, a trepanation 1.2 inches in diameter. Gadevang Man survived this operation, as is clearly shown by the healed edges and the bone regeneration (see the small tongue invading the opening). (Antropologisk Laboratorium of Denmark,

Copenhagen)

PathologiesPathologies

Yde girl suffered from a mild scoliosis, abnormal curvature of the spine. The tissue of her foot near her right big toe was found to be swollen while the toe next to it appeared to be calloused. This suggests that the weight of the right half of her body rested disproportionally heavily on these two toes. The girl probably had a somewhat irregular gait, moving with her right foot twisted slightly inwards. A CAT scan (see photo) shows the girl's wedge-shaped vertebrae and her upper jaw with an unerupted wisdom tooth. She died a violent death sometime between 170 B.C. and A.D 230.

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Discovery’s of the Mystical Bog People of the Iron ageDiscovery’s of the Mystical Bog People of the Iron age

► 1.1.    Gallagh ManGallagh Man400-200 B.C.400-200 B.C.Found in County Galway, Ireland in 18212.Found in County Galway, Ireland in 18212.   

► 2.2.Meenybraddan WomanMeenybraddan WomanA.D. 1500-1600A.D. 1500-1600Found in County Donegal, Ireland in 19783.Found in County Donegal, Ireland in 19783.  

► 3. 3. Oldcroghan ManOldcroghan Man350-175 B.C.350-175 B.C.Found in County Offaly, Ireland in 20034.Found in County Offaly, Ireland in 20034.   

► 4.4.Lindow ManLindow Man100 B.C.-A.D. 100100 B.C.-A.D. 100Found near Manchester, England in 19845.Found near Manchester, England in 19845.   

► 5. 5. Amcotts Moor WomanAmcotts Moor WomanA.D. 200-400A.D. 200-400Found in Lincolnshire, England in 17476.Found in Lincolnshire, England in 17476.   

► 6. 6. Yde Girl Yde Girl 100 B.C.-A.D. 50100 B.C.-A.D. 50Found in Drenthe, The Netherlands in 18977.Found in Drenthe, The Netherlands in 18977.   

► 7. 7. Weerdinge MenWeerdinge Men100 B.C.-A.D. 50 100 B.C.-A.D. 50 Found in Drenthe, The Netherlands in 19048.Found in Drenthe, The Netherlands in 19048.   

► 8. 8. Rendswühren ManRendswühren Man100 B.C.-A.D. 100100 B.C.-A.D. 100Found near Kiel, Germany in 18719.Found near Kiel, Germany in 18719.  

► 9. Osterby Man9. Osterby ManA.D. 1-100A.D. 1-100Found near Osterby, Germany in 194810.Found near Osterby, Germany in 194810.   

► 10. 10. Windeby GirlWindeby GirlA.D. 1-200A.D. 1-200Found near Windeby, Germany in 195211.Found near Windeby, Germany in 195211.   

► 11. 11. Tollund Man Tollund Man 400-300 B.C.400-300 B.C.Found in Aarhus, Denmark in 195012.Found in Aarhus, Denmark in 195012.   

► 12.12.Grauballe ManGrauballe Man100 B.C.-A.D. 100100 B.C.-A.D. 100Found in Aarhus, Denmark in 1952Found in Aarhus, Denmark in 1952

11.

9. 5.

2.

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► Meenybraddan WomanMeenybraddan WomanA.D. 1500-1600A.D. 1500-1600Found in County Donegal, Ireland in 1978Found in County Donegal, Ireland in 1978The style of the woolen cloak in which she was The style of the woolen cloak in which she was wrapped dates this woman to the late 16th century, wrapped dates this woman to the late 16th century, distinguishing her from the more common Iron Age distinguishing her from the more common Iron Age bog bodies. She was in her late 20s or early 30s bog bodies. She was in her late 20s or early 30s when she died. Given that she was interred in a when she died. Given that she was interred in a peat bog, in what was likely an unconsecrated peat bog, in what was likely an unconsecrated grave, she may have been a murder victim or a grave, she may have been a murder victim or a suicide.suicide.

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► Yde Girl Yde Girl 100 B.C.-A.D. 50100 B.C.-A.D. 50Found in Drenthe, The Netherlands in 1897Found in Drenthe, The Netherlands in 1897A small percentage of bog bodies are children. Yde Girl A small percentage of bog bodies are children. Yde Girl appears to have been strangled and stabbed at the age of 16. appears to have been strangled and stabbed at the age of 16. Some experts believe she was selected for sacrifice in part Some experts believe she was selected for sacrifice in part because of her awkward gait and curved spine (CT scans because of her awkward gait and curved spine (CT scans revealed she had scoliosis). Other CT scans, of her skull, aided revealed she had scoliosis). Other CT scans, of her skull, aided the reconstruction of her face. Her long fair hair was the reconstruction of her face. Her long fair hair was preserved in the peat, but on half of her head it had been cut preserved in the peat, but on half of her head it had been cut off. Other bog bodies also had their hair cut when they were off. Other bog bodies also had their hair cut when they were killed.killed.

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► Osterby ManOsterby ManA.D. 1-100A.D. 1-100Found near Osterby, Germany in 1948Found near Osterby, Germany in 1948Only his decapitated head was found, wrapped in a deerskin Only his decapitated head was found, wrapped in a deerskin cape. He was likely killed by a blow to his left temple before cape. He was likely killed by a blow to his left temple before he was decapitated. His hair, reddened by chemicals in the he was decapitated. His hair, reddened by chemicals in the peat, is tied in an elaborate hairstyle called a Swabian knot. peat, is tied in an elaborate hairstyle called a Swabian knot. The Roman historian Tacitus, who lived in Osterby Man's era, The Roman historian Tacitus, who lived in Osterby Man's era, describes the hairstyle as typical of the Suebi tribe of describes the hairstyle as typical of the Suebi tribe of Germany.Germany.

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► Tollund Man Tollund Man 400-300 B.C.400-300 B.C.Found in Aarhus, Denmark in 1950Found in Aarhus, Denmark in 1950He is renowned, even beloved, for the gentle He is renowned, even beloved, for the gentle expression on his impeccably preserved face. The expression on his impeccably preserved face. The noose around his neck makes clear that, like other noose around his neck makes clear that, like other Iron Age bog bodies, he was killed, but following the Iron Age bog bodies, he was killed, but following the violent act he was carefully laid in a restful pose, violent act he was carefully laid in a restful pose, like a sleeping child. Learn more about him in like a sleeping child. Learn more about him in Tollund Man.Tollund Man.

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Sacred RemainsSacred RemainsTheir eyes were closed after death, and their bodies were gently arranged Their eyes were closed after death, and their bodies were gently arranged

in graves. And bogs were clearly sacred places for Iron Age folk, acting as gateways to in graves. And bogs were clearly sacred places for Iron Age folk, acting as gateways to the supernatural world, where gifts could be presented to the gods. In other parts of the supernatural world, where gifts could be presented to the gods. In other parts of Europe, weapons, swords, spears, silver vessels, and gold jewelry have been found in Europe, weapons, swords, spears, silver vessels, and gold jewelry have been found in bogs. presumably they served as votive offerings. But researchers admittedly are bogs. presumably they served as votive offerings. But researchers admittedly are puzzled by bodies that show signs of obvious abuse.puzzled by bodies that show signs of obvious abuse.

Perhaps these abused people were indeed criminals, as some have Perhaps these abused people were indeed criminals, as some have suggested, but were sacrificed rather than executed. Maybe there was an unspoken suggested, but were sacrificed rather than executed. Maybe there was an unspoken practicality to the community’s rituals: people who were considered to be of little use practicality to the community’s rituals: people who were considered to be of little use were taken to the bogs. They may have be criminals or even those who produce little were taken to the bogs. They may have be criminals or even those who produce little food.food.

artifacts tell the story of the people who lived near the bogs and their artifacts tell the story of the people who lived near the bogs and their culture. This picture is of a This culture. This picture is of a This dugout canoedugout canoe made of pine measures almost three made of pine measures almost three meters in length, and was found in 1955 during construction of a motorway in a small meters in length, and was found in 1955 during construction of a motorway in a small bog near the Drents village of Posse (Netherlands). Radiocarbon-dated to 8500 B.C., bog near the Drents village of Posse (Netherlands). Radiocarbon-dated to 8500 B.C., this Mesolithic vessel is the oldest known in the world.this Mesolithic vessel is the oldest known in the world.

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This scientific second look at the bog people is far from over. As researchers analyze more This scientific second look at the bog people is far from over. As researchers analyze more bodies, patterns of ritual practices and other dimensions of Iron Age life may become clearer. bodies, patterns of ritual practices and other dimensions of Iron Age life may become clearer. Researchers are curious to know, for example, if any of the bog people were related, but they have Researchers are curious to know, for example, if any of the bog people were related, but they have been unable to extract any DNA from the bodies. It seems that the acidic bog water seems to have been unable to extract any DNA from the bodies. It seems that the acidic bog water seems to have altered most of the genetic material. altered most of the genetic material. every detail that is uncovered makes the bog people every detail that is uncovered makes the bog people seem somehow more familiar. No longer are they little-known, poorly understood barbarians from the seem somehow more familiar. No longer are they little-known, poorly understood barbarians from the pages of ancient Roman history. We can now picture the last minutes of these individuals’ lives.pages of ancient Roman history. We can now picture the last minutes of these individuals’ lives.

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ReferencesReferences

► BooksBooks

Bog Bodies: New Discoveries and New Perspectives yBog Bodies: New Discoveries and New Perspectives yby Richard Turner and Robert Scaife. London: British Museum Press, 1995.by Richard Turner and Robert Scaife. London: British Museum Press, 1995.

The Bog Man and the Archaeology of PeopleThe Bog Man and the Archaeology of Peopleby Don Brothwell. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1987.by Don Brothwell. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1987.

Through Nature to Eternity: The Bog Bodies of Northwest EuropeThrough Nature to Eternity: The Bog Bodies of Northwest Europeby W. A. B. van der Sanden. Batavian Lion International, 1996.by W. A. B. van der Sanden. Batavian Lion International, 1996.

WebsitesWebsiteshttp://www.bogpeople.org/bog_uk/index.htmlhttp://www.bogpeople.org/bog_uk/index.htmlhttp://www.archaeology.org/online/features/bog/http://www.archaeology.org/online/features/bog/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bog/iron-nf.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bog/iron-nf.html

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