Stories from the Peat Bog Cadavers

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Photograph:!Irish!Central,!2015!

Stories(from(the( Peat%Bog%Cadavers%!

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By!Emily!Badger,!Victor!Ostlund,!Meagan!Gueldner,!and!Paige!Peterson!

Including!:!Grauballe!Man,!Tollund!Man,!Clonycavan!Man,!and!Lindow!man.! !

Volume!!!!! !!!!!!!1!

Cover!Design:!Paige!Peterson!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BOG BODIES: EUROPE’S HOMEADE MUMMIES GRAUBALLE MAN THE GRAUBALLE MAN INSIDE THE GRAUBALLE MAN GRAUBALLE MAN’S PRESERVATION TOLLUND MAN: BY VICTOR OSTLUND GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT AND PRESERVED MATERIAL CULTURE ANALYSIS OF INTESTINAL TRACT: WHAT DID THE TOLLUND MAN EAT? AN INTERPRETATION OF EVIDENCE CLONYCAVAN MAN: BY MEAGAN GUELDNER WHO IS CLONYCAVAN MAN? CLONYCAVAN MAN’S PREHISTORIC HAIR GEL BOG BODIES THE RESULT OF SACRIFICES

LINDOW MAN: BY PAIGE PETERSON INTRODUCTION TO LINDOW MAN LINDOW MAN’S CULTURE A VIOLENT END OR SACRIFICIAL VICTIM

ETHICS OF BODIES LONG FORGOTTEN: BY PAIGE PETERSON

1 2-4 2 3 4 5-8 5 6 7 9-15 9 12 14

17-22 17 19 20

21-22

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Bodies!found!in!Northern!European! ! bogs!giving!us!new!insight!to!the! ! ! people!of!the!past.! ! ! !

By:!Emily!Badger! ! !

Bog!bodies!are!one!of!the!best!examples!of! natural!mummification.!This!form!of!mummification! is!chronologically!widespread!with!some!bog!bodies! having!been!found!to!belong!to!events!as!recent!as! the!Second!World!War.!Bog!bodies!are!mummified! due!to!being!completely!submerged!in!waterlogged! bogs!or!lakes,!and!this!reduces!decomposition!by! aerobic!bacteria!(Lynnerup,!2015,!p.!1007).!!

There!are!many!variations!of!reasons!for! why!a!body!might!be!thrown!into!a!bog,!the!most! popular!being!disposal,!as!bogs!will!swallow!up! anything.!Many!of!the!bodies!that!have!been!pulled! out!of!bogs!have!evidence!of!violent!deaths,! preserved!in!the!skin!of!the!bodies!themselves.!

Lynnerup!(2015)!discusses!the!polysaccharide,! sphagnan,!and!its!role!in!reducing!the!decay!rate!by! binding!calcium!and!nitrogen.!This!would!be!why! bog!bodies!are!found!in!rather!good!condition! considering!their!resting!environments,!facial! features!being!rather!well!preserved!as!seen!in! image!one.! !

The!waterlogged!bodies!hold!their!shape! due!to!the!immense!amount!of!water!that!keeps! them!relatively!close!to!their!original!size!(Lynnerup,!

2015,!p.!1008).!Due!to!this!water!content’s! preservation!function,!Lynnerup!(2015)!argues!that! we!must!be!prudent!when!retrieving!bodies!from! bogs,!as!they!will!dry!out!and!shrinkage!is!a!very!

Bog$Bodies:$Europe’s$ Homemade' Mummies!

real!possibility.!The!body!will!then!simply!dry!out!on! its!own!in!whichever!position!it!is!in!when!it!is! placed!outside!of!the!bog,!and!all!winkles!and! impressions!will!harden!with!the!tissues.!!

(Image:!http://imgur.com/gallery/g1iOPp9)!

These!tissues,!having!been!affected!in!the! drying!process,!can!lead!to!possible!declarations! pertaining!to!the!health!of!the!individual!found,! even!though!it!could!have!simply!been!a!handling! mishap!or!shrinkage!due!to!this!drying!process!

(Lynnerup,!2015,!1008).!The!drying!process!does! hold!the!signs!of!trauma!in!the!body!very!well.!The! skin!can!be!so!intact!that!trauma!is!easily!seen!on! the!body,!as!well!as!pathologies!such!as!warts,!and! these!bodies!being!hot!spots!for!archaeological! evidence!are!presently!recognized!as!invaluable! archaeological!objects!(Lynnerup,!2015,!p.!1009).!! !

Sources!

Lynnerup,!N.!(2015)!Bog!bodies.!The$ Anatomical$Record.![Online]!Wiley!Online!

Library.!298!(6).!p.!1007W1012.!Available!from:! http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy.library.u vic.ca/![Accessed:!1st!November!2015]! ! !

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The$Grauballe$Man! Another(body(found(in(Central(Jutland(bog.( Testing(leads(to(the(conclusion(that(this(body( was(indeed(from(the(Iron(Age,(exciting(scientists( everywhere.(

death(so(they(could(discover(how(old(this(set(of( remains(was.(Radiocarbon(dating(was(used(on( the(liver(and(these(results(pushed(all(others( aside.(

By:(Emily(Badger(

Grauballe(Man( http://nematode.unl.edu/fensgrauballe.htm(

In(April(of(1952,(a(body(was(found(in(a( bog(being(harvested(for(peat.(Not(something( that(was(particularly(shocking(as(another(bog( body(by(the(name(of(Tollund(Man(had(been( found(not(even(20(km(from(this(new(find,(only( two(years(previous((Asingh,(2007,(p.(17).(The( locals(knew(the(drill(and(called(a(museum,( trying(to(take(precautionary(measures(to(keep( the(body(in(the(same(position(and(safe.(Sadly( this(was(in(vain(as(someone(did(end(up(stepping( on(the(individual’s(head(that(was(covered(in(a( burlap(sack((p.(17).(( This(new(body(was(named(for(the( nearby(town(of(Grauballe(in(Central(Jutland,( and(the(body(was(carefully(dug(up,(peat(and(all,( and(brought(to(the(Prehistoric(Museum(in( Aarhus((p.(19).(( The(aging(of(bodies(is(usually(based(on( skeletal(material(in(a(set(of(remains,(not(so( much(tissue(as(it(does(not(retain(any(age( markers(as(well(as(bones((Lynnerup(et(al.,(2007,( p.(227).(When(the(Grauballe(man(was(found(it( was(through(evidence(found(using(his(bones( that(researchers(were(capable(of(giving(a(rough( estimate(of(his(age(at(death(based(on(the(fusion( of(his(bones.(As(there(were(no(artefacts(found( with(Grauballe(Man’s(remains,(different( methods(had(to(be(used(to(set(a(timeline(for(his(

Grauballe(Man’s(head(and(hair(( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauballe_Man#/medi a/File:Grauballemanden_stor.jpg(( (

( This(set(of(remains(was(indeed(from(the( Iron(Age(and(has(been(displayed(in(the( Moesgaard(Museum(since(May(1955((Asingh,( 2007,(p.(31).(As(technology(has(advanced(it(has( become(more(and(more(possible(to(answer( questions(that(we(couldn’t(back(then.( ( Sources:( Lynnerup,(N.,(Boldsen,(J.L.(&(Jurik,(A.G.( (2007)(The(Biological(Anthropology(of(Grauballe( Man.(In(ASINGH,(P.(&(LYNNERUP,(N.((eds.).( Grauballe(Man:(An(Iron(Age(Bog(Body(Revisited.( Jutland(Archaeological(Society(Publications,(vol.( 49.(Højbjerg,(Denmark:(Jutland(Archaeological( Society,(Moesgaard(in(association(with( Moesgaard(Museum.( Asingh,(P.((2007)(The(Man(in(the(Bog.(In( ASINGH,(P.(&(LYNNERUP,(N.((eds.).(Grauballe( Man:(An(Iron(Age(Bog(Body(Revisited.(Jutland( Archaeological(Society(Publications,(vol.(49.( Højbjerg,(Denmark:(Jutland(Archaeological( Society,(Moesgaard(in(association(with( Moesgaard(Museum.( (

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Inside'the' Grauballe(Man! Analyses(of(the(Grauballe(Man’s(gut(contents( leads(to(new(knowledge(about(possible(food( stuffs(in(the(Iron(Age.( By:(Emily(Badger( ( ( When(the(Grauballe(Man(was(pulled(

from(the(bog,(his(stomach(and(its(contents( were(very(well(preserved.(The(task(of( analysing(this(find(went(to(Hans(Helbaek,( who(was(the(archaeobotanist(who(had( been(on(the(Tollund(Man’s(case(two(year( previous((Harild(et#al.,(2007,(p.(155).((( ( The(presence(of(rye(in(the(gut( contents(was(especially(of(interest,(seeing( as(the(Grauballe(Man(was(dated(to(before( the(Roman(part(of(the(Iron(Age((p.(160).(It( was(only(a(tiny(quantity,(not(enough(to( really(be(solid(proof(that(this(was(indeed( rye(from(a(specific(rye(crop.(But(as(advances( were(made(in(the(scientific(world,(we(see( that(some(of(the(other(fragments(found( were(variations(of(rye(grains(as(well(which( backs(the(original(evidence(of(rye((p.(161).((

(Example(of(gruel(breakfast( http://www.tollundman.dk/sidsteQ maaltid.asp)(( (

When(the(Grauballe(Man(was(to(become( the(center(of(an(entire(exhibition(at(the( Moesgaard(Museum,(it(provided(the( perfect(opportunity(to(open(old(studies(and( start(new(ones.(But(when(the(gut(contents( were(to(be(reQanalysed,(50(years(had( passed,(leaving(the(amount(to(study(rather( small(and(this(new(study(was(missing(some( information(right(off(the(bat((p.(165).(The( results(do(give(a(good(idea(about(the( amount(of(commonly(occurring(types(of( grain.( ( The(contents(of(the(gruel(show(us( that(it(would(be(a(rather(disagreeable(meal( by(today’s(meal(standards(but(must(have( had(enough(nutritional(value(that(would( deem(it(consumable((p.(174).(( ( The(preservation(of(Grauballe(Man’s( gut(and(intestinal(contents(allows(more( insight(into(an(Iron(Age(diet.(Just(like(the( Tollund(Man’s(stomach(contents(was(also( able(to(do(when(he(was(found.(These( studies(are(still(being(undergone(today(on( many(other(bodies(that(have(been(found( with(intact(stomachs,(leading(to(more(and( more(insight(into(the(past.( ( Sources:( Harild,(J.A.,(Robinson,(D.E.(&( Hudlebusch,(J.((2007)(New(Analyses(of( Grauballe(Man’s(Gut(Contents.(In(ASINGH,( P.(&(LYNNERUP,(N.((eds.).(Grauballe#Man:# An#Iron#Age#Bog#Body#Revisited.(Jutland( Archaeological(Society(Publications,(vol.(49.( Højbjerg,(Denmark:(Jutland(Archaeological( Society,(Moesgaard(in(association(with( Moesgaard(Museum.(

(

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Grauballe(Man’s# Preservation!

By:$Emily$Badger$ $ The$day$of$Grauballe$Man’s$discovery$ he$was$moved$immediately$to$the$nearest$ museum$in$Aarhus,$bog$and$all$(Strehle,$2007,$ p.33).$Previous$bog$bodies$found$had$never$had$ the$effort$made$to$preserve$them,$merely$being$ left$out$to$dry,$while$some$were$immediately$ reburied$in$a$cemetery.$The$Grauballe$Man$was$ a$full$corpse,$perfectly$preserved$in$a$block$of$ peat$which$was$brought$with$him$to$the$ museum$at$the$time$of$excavation.$$ $ The$Prehistoric$Museum$in$Aarhus$ wished$to$display$the$Grauballe$Man$as$soon$as$ they$could,$but$this$would$lead$to$some$difficult$ puzzles$to$solve$about$conservation$techniques.$ A$researcher$made$it$clear$that$the$find$would$ be$destroyed$if$it$were$to$be$allowed$to$dry$out$ entirely$and$so$a$“watering$schedule”$was$ created$(p.$34).$This$technique$was$used$to$keep$ the$Grauballe$Man$wet,$so$that$no$desiccation$ could$begin$destroying$the$find,$by$spraying$him$ with$water$every$couple$of$hours$he$wouldn’t$ be$able$to$dry$out.$$ $ Though$his$conservation$was$a$concern$ many$scientists$wanted$to$make$sure$that$the$ Grauballe$Man$was$photographed$and$ recorded.$He$was$allowed$to$dry$out$somewhat$ for$the$photographs$and$to$have$his$fingerprints$ taken,$but$he$was$kept$in$pretty$much$the$exact$ same$position$in$which$he$was$found.$These$

(Grauballe$Man$http://nematode.unl.edu/fensgrauballe.htm)$

techniques$were$not$by$any$means$rules,$they$ were$simply$the$best$possible$ideas$to$try$and$ keep$the$body$from$disintegrating$completely.$

This$was$simply$because$the$need$to$preserve$ something$so$delicate$and$in$such$a$state$had$ never$been$tried$before.$ $ A$researcher$discovered$that$the$ Grauballe$Man’s$preservation$was$due$to$the$ natural$tanning$process$that$had$taken$place$in$ the$bog,$courtesy$of$the$trees$that$had$also$ been$a$part$of$the$bog$(p.$42).$Based$on$this,$ researchers$could$formulate$a$plan$to$preserve$ the$Grauballe$Man$in$the$future$without$having$ to$constantly$water$him$down$almost$hourly.$ This$tanning$process$lasted$18$months$and$ when$it$was$declared$complete,$the$Grauballe$ Man$was$leather$(p.43).$This$would$allow$him$to$ face$the$world$without$worry.$ $ There$is$still$maintenance$required$to$ keep$the$Grauballe$Man$whole$and$preserved,$ but$it$does$not$need$to$be$as$rigorous$as$his$first$ months$out$of$the$bog.$The$case$would$need$to$ be$open$and$the$body$“reToiled”$so$that$he$ wouldn’t$crack$that$much$and$so$on$(p.$47).$ $ The$Grauballe$Man’s$original$plaster$ mount$needed$to$be$remolded$to$fit$him$after$ he$had$been$shown$to$have$shrunk$by$at$least$ %5$of$the$size$he$had$been$when$he’d$first$been$ pulled$out$of$the$bog$(Frederiksen$&$Glastrup,$ 2007,$p.$59).$The$Grauballe$Man$is$still$ monitored$and$cared$for$at$the$Moesgaard$ Museum.$$ Sources:$ Strehle,$H.$(2007)$The$Conservation$of$ the$Grauballe$Man.$In$ASINGH,$P.$&$LYNNERUP,$ N.$(eds.).$Grauballe(Man:(An(Iron(Age(Bog(Body( Revisited.$Jutland$Archaeological$Society$ Publications,$vol.$49.$Højbjerg,$Denmark:$ Jutland$Archaeological$Society,$Moesgaard$in$ association$with$Moesgaard$Museum.$ $ Frederiksen,$J.$and$Glastrup,$J.$(2007)$ Conservation$and$Analysis$of$Grauballe$Man$ 2001T2002.$In$ASINGH,$P.$&$LYNNERUP,$N.$ (eds.).$Grauballe(Man:(An(Iron(Age(Bog(Body( Revisited.$Jutland$Archaeological$Society$ Publications,$vol.$49.$Højbjerg,$Denmark:$ Jutland$Archaeological$Society,$Moesgaard$in$ association$with$Moesgaard$Museum.$

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The Tollund Man

Victor Ostlund

Geographical context and preserved sheepskin hat and hide belt (Jarcho material culture Bogs are commonplace in Europe, and are especially prevalent in Denmark and Germany. Vegetation that slowly makes its way into lakes goes through a conversion process where they turn into deposits of peat. This vegetable debris in these newly formed bogs form an acid soil that has strong preservative properties for human soft tissue (Jarcho 1970). This preservative effect of peat bogs have left archaeologists with hundreds of well preserved human bodies to analyze and work with. Some of these cadavers are associated with controversial material culture, and speculation as to the cause of death of these individuals has been discussed due to these associated materials. In 1950 on the Danish peninsula of Jutland, one of these controversial bog bodies was discovered. This 2000-year-old Iron Age human was the only one found in one particular bog, and was extremely well preserved with facial features that were discernable and lifelike (Lobell and Patel 2010). The bodies overall soft

Some of these cadavers are associated

1970). Around this individuals neck

with controversial material culture, and

however, there was a rope noose.

speculation as to the cause of death of

Impressions, visible trauma to the skin of

these individuals has been discussed due

his neck was also present. The rope was

to these associated materials. In 1950

over a meter long and had been cut on

on the Danish peninsula of Jutland, one of these controversial bog bodies was discovered. This 2000-year-old Iron Age human was the only one found in one particular bog, and was extremely well preserved with facial features that

one end, possibly signifying that the man had been hanged and cut down after the execution (Jarcho 1970). This evidence raises a ton of questions surrounding this mans life history and death. When looking at some other bog bodies present in the archaeological literature, we don’t

were discernable and lifelike (Lobell and Patel 2010). The bodies overall soft tissue was well preserved. The bog body was found deep in the peat bog in a flexed position, and it was determined this was a biological adult

see the same level of preservation then that of the Tollund Man. For example, Clonycavan man, who was discovered in Ireland, was associated with some fascinating material culture. For example, hair gel was present in the

male who died at around 40 years old

man’s hair that was linked to a particular

(Deem 2005). The hands of this

tree found in Spain and SW France.

individual were in opposite positions,

Despite this interesting evidence, the

one placed by the knee, and the other

whole body wasn’t present, with some

by the chin (Jarcho 1970). The material

limbs missing. In the case of Tollund

culture associated with this body sparks

Man, the preservation is very impressive,

a number of questions. This man was

and the material culture even more

essentially naked, aside from a

intriguing.

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Lorem Ipsum

Analysis of the intestinal tract: what did the tollund man eat prior to death?

Due to the high level of preservation, remains in the Tollund mans intestinal tract was observable. The organs of Tollund man were removed and washed in preparation for scientific analysis (Deem 2005). Bioarchaeological analysis found remains of a meal consumed anywhere from 12 hours to a day before death (Jarcho 1970). The food found in the remains could be classified as gruel. It consisted of barley, 30 different types of seeds, and edible weeds (Deem 2005).

No animal remains were present in the intestinal tract of the Tollund man (Jarcho 1970).

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An interpretation of the evidence Given the strange circumstances and material cultures found in association with the Tollund Man, archaeologists suggest that he could have been the subject of a sacrificial situation. Tollund Man was potentially a sacrifice to the gods (Deem 2005) for a number of reasons. The first reason surrounds the environment in which the Tollund man was found. The individuals inhabiting the region saw water as something that was close to the gods or allowed for communication with them (Deem 2005). The second point uses the analysis of his stomach contents as evidence. The analysis of his digestive tract suggests that the Tollund Man died in the spring, which could potentially correlate to a seasonal sacrifice (Deem 2005). Lastly, Deem (2005) accentuates that for a person who was hanged, the Tollund mans body was in condition that suggested a certain level of care put into his preservation process.

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Works cited

Deem, J.M. 2005, Tollund Man, dig, vol. 7, no. 7, p. 6-9.

Jarcho, S. 1970, "Tollund man and other bog burials", Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, vol. 46, no. 7, p. 554-557.

Lobell, J.A. & Patel, S.S. 2010, "Tollund Man", Archaeology,vol. 63, no. 3, pp. 24.

Images Niels Bach, http://www.tollundman.dk/gifs/illustrationer/1c-haengningfarve-stor.jpg http://tollundman1950.weebly.com/bibliography.html

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WHO IS THE CLONYCAVAN MAN? Remains dating between 392 – 201 B.C. of a man discovered in an Ireland Bog. Meagan Gueldner

Clonycavan

man is only one of

hundreds of bog bodies that have been continually uncovered since the 1700’s. What is particularly interesting about bog bodies is their remarkable state of preservation.

Bog body disposal is likely an unintentional form of mummification; primarily due to the cold, acidic and oxygen deprived conditions of bogs. The consequences of these conditions are the beak down of done marrow (due to the high acidic content of the bogs) and the prevention of tissue and flesh decay.

Clonycavan man was discovered in Clonycavan Ireland in 2003.

Farmers who were harvesting peat found the remains, which consisted of a head, neck, arms and torso.

However, due to damage sustained from the peat machine, the hands and the lower ! !

body were severed and badly maimed.

Despite the damage, the visible remains of Clonycavan man were beautifully preserved. Carbon dating indicated that Clonycavan man lived around 392 – 201B.C. Analysis of the remains showed that he had crooked teeth and a squashed nose that showed his still visible pours. He had a thin beard and his hair was worn up high in a knot. He stood approximately 5 foot 2 inches tall and was estimated to have been between 24 – 40 years of age when he died.

Like the vast majority of the bog bodies 98

bodies that Clonycavan death. This examination body.

have been discovered, man died a very violent was determined through of evidence found on the

sucking on a King’s nipples was a sign of submission” (Reese (Reese: 2014).

Furthermore, the removal of nipples would have been intended to symbolize the man’s inability to assume kingship.

Injuries to the head Multiple injuries included a large laceration spanning from his right eye to the bridge of his nose. There was also a deep wound on the top of his head showing his skull has been split open by a sharp object. It is probable that both injuries were cause by the same sharp object most likely an axe.

Although not must is known about who Clonycavan man was, it is highly likely that he was a member of high status. His body showed few signs of physical labor and his body was healthy at the time of his death. Chemical traces done of hair samples at the National Museum of Ireland concluded that Clonycavan man’s diet was rich in vegetables and produce. This suggests that Clonycavan man was killed in the summer or early fall when fresh vegetables would have been easily available (Lobell and Patel: 2010). Further evidence supporting this hypothesis includes traces of prehistoric hair gel found in his hair. Samples taken of this substance provides evidence of trade. Clonycavan man’s use of the imported gel would indicate that he was wealthy enough to purchase traded luxury goods.

Injuries to the torso Moreover, examination of the torso and abdomen showed that he had been hit numerous times in the chest and was disemboweled. Furthermore, his nipples had been cut off. This is believed to correlate with failed kingship. In ancient Ireland, “the [act 9 10

Sources Murdered “Bog Men” Found with Hair Gel, Manicured Nails.

National geographic News. 2010.

Web. [Online]. Accessed 26th November 2015. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/ne ws/2006/01/0117_060117_irish_bogme n_2.html

Colm. 2011. Irish bog bodies, some recent discoveries. Irish Archaeology. Web. [Online].

Accessed 26th November 2015. http://irisharchaeology.ie/2011/08/irishbog-bodies-recent-discoveries/ Image [1] found: http://travel junkies.com/2013/04/13/sydneys corner-bog-mummies-of-ireland/

Reese, M. R. 2014. Clonycavan Man: a 2,300-Year-Old Murder Mystery. Ancient Origins. Web. [Online]. Accessed 26th November 2015. http://www.ancientorigins.net/unexplainedphenomena/clonycavan-man-2300year-old-murder-mystery-002100 !

Image [2] found: http://api.ning.com/files/Ytz*1w0 YzB1A8DnBw1jYLYoTFuJNxLjd0a3 S4MyaRB3rochqw*PFq4ZUj6uTM8q7 MH00BhVLdT38v0bmYOHf4sl1pfEs H5N/BogBodyClonycavanManDiscove red2003PA_large.jpg Lobell, J. A., Patel, S. S. 2010.

Clonycavan and Old Croghan Men. Archaeological Institute of America. Vol. 63. No. 3. Magazine. http://archive.archaeology.org/1005/bo gbodies/clonycavan_croghan.html ! ! !

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CLONYCAVAN MAN’S PREHISTORIC HAIR GEL Analysis of ancient hair gel indicates evidence of Iron Age trade spanning across Western Europe and the Mediterranean.

Meagan Gueldner

By far the trait that distinguishes Clonycavan man from other bod bodies is his hair. Despite his 392 B.C. – 201 B.C. age, the beautifully preserved remains of Clonycavan man’s hair gives 21st century scientists clues on his diet, social stratification and trade with Western Europe. Although only the remains of his head and torso were found, scientists were able to determine that Clonycavan man stood approximately 5 foot 2 inches tall. It is a possibility that the unique way in which his hair was styled was intended to give him a taller and grander appearance.

The front of his hairline was shaven which would have given the illusion that the forehead was higher. The unshaven portions of

! ! ! ! ! ! !

of his hair were kept several inches long and intricately folded “forward and then back in what has been described as an ‘ancient Mohawk’”(Reese: 2014).

An ancient form of hair gel was found in his hair. This signaled a particular portion of interest for scientists. Analysis of the substance was done at the University of York in England. The results showed that the prehistoric gel was made from the combination of oil 11 12

extracted from vegetable plants mixed with resin (sap) from pine trees. Interestingly, these trees are only found in Spain and Southwest France, indicating that long distance and intercontinental trade occurred during this time period.

Furthermore, the presence of this ancient form of hair gel indicates that Clonycavan man was reasonably wealthy during his lifetime. !

Sources Image [1] found: http://travel junkies.com/2013/04/13/sydneyscorner-bog-mummies-of-ireland/ Image [2] found: https://s-media-cacheak0.pinimg.com/736x/b4/8c/1c/b48c1c 80f5b6de171883a6010706f4e9.jpg

Reese, M. R. 2014. Clonycavan Man: a 2,300-Year-Old Murder Mystery.

Ancient Origins. Web. [Online].

Accessed 26th November 2015. http://www.ancientorigins.net/unexplainedphenomena/clonycavan-man-2300-yearold-murder-mystery-002100 !

Lobell, J. A., Patel, S. S. 2010.

Clonycavan and Old Croghan Men. Archaeological Institute of America.

Vol. 63. No. 3. Magazine. http://archive.archaeology.org/1005/bo gbodies/clonycavan_croghan.html Murdered “Bog Men� Found with Hair Gel, Manicured Nails. National geographic News. 2010. Web. [Online]. Accessed 26th November 2015. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/ne ws/2006/01/0117_060117_irish_bogme n_2.html 12 13

BOG BODIES THE RESULT OF SACRAFICES? Disagreements among scientists revolving round who these people were and how they ended up in the bogs.

Meagan Gueldner ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! !

Figure 1: example of a Peat bog

The disposal of bodies in bogs was not a common funerary practice. Traditionally people of the Iron Age disposed of their dead through cremation on a funerary pyre and the ashes placed in an urn. The vast contrast between the two forms of disposal practiced by the same group of people indicated some intentional form of ritual was occurring.

Since the first discovery in the 1700’s, the mystery surrounding the identity of bog bodies have inspired many theories.

Among these include: social outcasts, murder victims and executed criminals.

However, the most widely accepted hypothesis was introduced by Elise Thorvildsen in 1952. She proposed that bog bodies couldn’t have been victims of punishment. Rather they were likely the result of ritualized sacrifices to the gods. !!

Evidence of Tollund man’s remains provides the best counterexample against the criminal/ outcast hypothesis.

Analysis of the remains showed that Tollund man was hanged.

However finding also indicated that his eyes and mouth had been closed and his body placed in a position akin to someone

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to fertility gods and goddesses to ensure a successful reign (National Geographic News: 2010).

Sleeping (see figure 1). Suggesting that he was placed in the bog carefully. It’s very unlikely that this intentional positioning would have been done to a common criminal (Holloway: 2014).

The time period in which the individuals were killed is a further indicator of the sacrifice hypothesis. The majority of bodies discovered in both Denmark as well as Ireland were killed in winter or early spring. A time period in which human sacrifices were offered to the goddess of spring. Furthermore, According to Kelly, the multiple injuries found on both men might reflect the belief that the goddess was not only one of land and fertility, but also one of “sovereignty, war, and death. By using a range of methods to kill the victim, the ancient Irish sacrificed to the goddess in all her forms�

(Archaeology: 2010).

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Figure 2: Tollund man and his hanging rope

Moreover, the case for sacrifice is remains a likely position when considering the people themselves.

Traditionally, it was believed that watery environments, such as bogs were places of communication with the gods and goddesses.

Further evidence of sacrifice was the ritualization of nipple cutting as seen on the bodies of Clonycavan man and Old Croghan man (see figure 2). This supports the theory Eamonn P. Kelly who suggested that the men were failed kings who were killed and placed in bogs as a means of establishing tribal boundaries (Archaeology: 2010). A suggestion provided by Kelly is that bog bodies could have acted as an offering !

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Figure 2: remains found of Old Croghan Man

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Sources Bog Bodies as Sacrifices. Acta archaeologica. 2010. Vol 81. Issue 1. P. 116. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600 0390.2010.00313.x.

Figure [1] found: http://www.britannica.com/technology/peat Figure [2] found: http://www.ancientorigins.net/sites/default/files/styles/large/publ ic/field/image/tollund-man1.jpg?itok=NzdtcORr Figure [3] found: http://static1.squarespace.com/static/518ee9e 6e4b02c1428e17e12/t/51d87b46e4b0a4195e 5452d0/1431968714088/IMG_4778.JPG Holloway, A. 2014. Tollund Man: the preserved face from Prehistoric Denmark and the tale of ritual sacrifice. Ancient Origins, reconstructing the story of humanity’s past. Web. [Online]. Accessed 26th November 2015. http://www.ancientorigins.net/ancient-places-europe/tollundman-preserved-face-prehistoric-denmarkand-tale-ritual-098888

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Lange, Karen E. 2007. Tales from the bog: hanged with a leather cord and cast into a Danish bog 2,300 years ago, Tollund Man was probably a sacrifice.

Like other bodies found preserved in Europe's peat bogs, he poses haunting questions. How was he chosen? Who closed his eyes after death? And what god demanded his life? National Geographic Sept. 2007: 80+. Canadian Periodicals Index Quarterly. Web. Accessed 26th November 2015. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE %7CA169227839&v=2.1&u=uvictoria&it =r&p=CPI&sw=w&asid=72e668920b090e e55d9cd7b4a1b3c146 Lobell, J. A., Patel, S. S. 2010. Clonycavan and Old Croghan Men. Archaeological Institute of America. Vol. 63. No. 3.

Magazine. http://archive.archaeology.org/1005/bogbo dies/clonycavan_croghan.html Murdered “Bog Men” Found with Hair Gel, Manicured Nails. National geographic News. 2010. Web. [Online]. Accessed 26th November 2015. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2 006/01/0117_060117_irish_bogmen_2.htm l !

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Lindow Man (Lobell and Patel, 2010, p.23)

By Paige Peterson

An Introduction to Lindow Man A man found in a bog, his throat slit, head smashed, and nothing remaining of his body but his epidermis. This is the bog body known as Lindow man, who was found in 1984 and is thought to have come from the Late Iron Age (Giles 2009, p. 82). Like many of the other bog bodies, there is much discussion surrounding who this man was and how he ended up face up, buried in a bog with

Inside

(Prage, 1997)

1) An Introduction to Lindow Man 2) A Violent End or Sacrificial Victim?

3) Lindow Man’s Culture

only his torso remaining. Nevertheless there are many elements to provide an answer to these questions including but not limited to his carefully trimmed fingernails, pruned facial hair, and naked body, save for a leather armband (Giles 2009, p.82-83).

In 1984, men looking for horticultural peat in the Cheshire peat bog came upon the body of Lindow Man (Connolly, 1985, p.15). It was due to complete accident that they spotted part of his leg in the container of peat and went back to exhume his body from the shallow water (Connolly, 1985, p.15). It is surprising that the body had not been discovered until now. Next to Old Croghan man, Lindow man was one of the most complete bog bodies at the time 16 17

1 2

(Lobell and Patel, 2010, p.23)

‘Lindow man was one of the most complete bodies at the time of his discovery’ of his discovery, and he revolutionized how bog

been undertaken would have been to take

bodies were studied and set standards for further

samples for dating purposes (Joy, 2009, p.7).

bodies. “For the first time it was possible to see

Excellent care was taken to be as minimally

the face of a person from Britain’s remote past”

invasive and respectful to these bodies as

and there was much to be learned (Joy, 2009,

possible.

p.5).

Due to the perfect preservation from the acidity in the bog bodies, once removed, special precautions were made to ensure that this bog body would stay preserved. According to Joy, the body had to be kept at a strict temperature of below 4° Celsius at all times (2009, p.7).

Additionally, x-rays and other non-invasive techniques were used as to not harm the body more than they needed to, to study the body (Joy, 2009, p.7). The only damage that would have

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Lindow Man’s Culture

By Paige Peterson

There is a lot more that can be learned from Lindow man besides his own character. His remains offer not only an answer to how he fit into his society but also to how his society worked and functioned as a whole. Both the way in which he was killed and disposed of, as well as his physical body can speak to this. The first instance of this can be found in comparing Lindow man to the history and archaeological evidence already known from this area during the Iron Age. In Lindow (The British Museum, 1984)

Man and the Danish Connection by Mike Parker Pearson, it is stated that Lindow man and his counterparts were unusual in their cultural context, in that most burials at this time were cremations in organized plots of land (1986, p.16). This shows that these bodies, including Lindow man, are outsiders in society, most likely due to some sort of deemed deviant behavior that they committed.

Furthermore much can be learned from his stomach contents at the time of death, according to the tests taken from the remaining materials in stomach and intestines (Joy, 2009, p.29). This can provide archaeologists with information regarding the diet of the people, which had previously been a long and not completely accurate process. When the contents of Lindow man’s stomach were tested, it was discovered that his most recent meals had consisted of “finely ground wheat and barley” (Joy, 2009, p.29). Based on the wheat and barely diet it can be assumed that the society in which he lived had knowledge of agriculture.

In addition, that this knowledge was put into practice. It should be noted here that one could learn a significant amount about the living from the graves and bodies of the dead. Even in the case of the long forgotten dead.

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A Violent End or Sacrificial Victim?

By Paige Peterson According to many, Lindow man’s death appears to be a result of a horrifically devastating act. Connolly claims in an article that he wrote shortly after the discovery of this body that Lindow man’s death was a result of a crime, perhaps a mugging (1985, p.17). This is for the reason that the evidence shows him to have been naked and absent of any personal adornment, including jewelry (Connolly, 1985, p.17). Moreover, Jody Joy agrees to a point but continues on to explain that there are counter arguments to this claim. There is evidence that points to Lindow man having been a sacrificial victim, although to most this evidence is fairly weak (Joy, 2009, p.45).

(Giles, 2009, p.82)

For example, she mentions that evidence is shown in the type of injuries worn on his body, and speaks of an argument by Anne Ross, relating the “triple deaths” to different gods in the Iron Age (Joy, 2009, p.45). In isolated cases such as Lindow man it is difficult to believe that there is really much evidence of sacrifice, it is not until one looks at the bigger picture and realizes that many of the bog bodies died violent deaths (Joy, 2009, p.45). There is clearly some sort of cultural or ritualistic commonality between these mysterious bodies from the bog gods in the Iron Age (Joy, 2009, p.45). In isolated cases such as Lindow man it is difficult to believe that there is really much evidence of sacrifice, it is not until one looks at the bigger picture and realizes that many of the bog bodies died violent deaths (Joy, 2009, p.45). There is clearly some sort of cultural or ritualistic commonality between these mysterious bodies from the bog.

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A possibility of sacrifice can be seen in the traces of copper and zinc pigment that were found on different areas of Lindow man’s body. (Pyatt et al, as cited in Giles, 2009, p.83). This does not necessarily mean there was ritual involved, as this could have been a type of war paint or something they used in another daily context. Better proof can be found in the multiple injuries found upon Lindow man’s body.

These comprise of fracturing to the skull, indicating that he was struck twice on the head; neck and vertebral fractures; abrasions from rope made of sinew and a slit throat (Giles, 2009, p.83). It is hard to believe that this much pain and effort would have gone into a sacrificial killing. These are not methodical wounds of ritual and sacrifice, but acts of anger or punishment. Overall to completely certain more evidence will have to be found and the wider context studied.

Ethics of Bodies Long Forgotten

By Paige Peterson

By Paige Peterson

In an article by Lobell and Patel, Jody Joy, a curator at The British Museum is quoted saying “bog bodies are special because they have

There is great urgency to protect them, making them uniquely special.

In addition, to the showcasing of the

flesh, they look like us” (2010, p. 24). This is a

bodies, ownership is also a prevalent topic of

key difference in why the phenomena of bog

debate. It is interesting to note, however, that

bodies have been so out of the ordinary to us.

responses varied according to the country in

They remind us of ourselves and still have the

which the bog bodies were displayed. In London

part of them that is distinctly human. Because of

responses were amiable and little complaint was

this distinctiveness, much controversy has been

made, in Ottawa, Canada on the other hand, there

had over the placement of these bodies in public

was great dissatisfaction with the ‘The

spaces such as museums. Furthermore, these

Mysterious Bog People’ exhibition (Giles 2009,

bodies create a link to the past that not many

p. 92). Giles points out that this may be to do

persons or artefacts have been able to provide up

with the context in which this took place, Canada

until this point Lobell and Patel, 2010, p. 24).

has a long tradition of “embargo[s] on displaying ancient human remains in [a country] where

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living descendants regard this as morally repugnant” (2009, p.92).

There is a stigma here on the display of bodies, and to whom ownership should go. This brings into question nonetheless, of museums having the ability to show these bodies to the public.

For a long time, these bodies have been buried in the bog, far removed from the life going on around them, and from the civilization that they once were a part of. So to some, these individuals are long gone and it is just their physical remains that are left. In this case, it is perfectly all right to study the body of Lindow man. Alternatively, others view this as disrespectful, certain groups going to the extent of claiming ownership of the body. It must be taken into consideration that some of these bodies were the

(The British Museum, 1984)

first of their kind, and thus archaeologists had little experience in dealing within this type of were the first of their kind, and thus

archaeologists had little experience in dealing within this type of circumstances. They had to deal with the question of how to deal with a body, that was also a key piece of information to a door to the past.

In Britain, there is legislation outlining general practices to follow when excavating a body in an archaeological context. These include legislation “such as the Burial Act 1857, Section 25; the Disused Burial Grounds (Amendment) Act 1981; the Pastoral Measure 1983; and Planning Policy Guidance: PPG 16 1990” (Giles, 2009, p.78). These regulations are a great place to start when dealing with an excavated body; however, special ethical consideration should be made due to the significance of the bog bodies.

In terms of this magazine, ethical consideration was taken when discussing bog bodies, both in terms of description of analysis and using respectful images throughout the entirety of the magazine and project. Acceptable sources are used, including academic Paige Peterson

scholarship and museum collections.

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Bibliography The British Museum. (1984), Lindow Man. [Online] Available from: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_ online/collection_object_details/ collection_image_gallery.aspx?partid=1&assetid=426061001&objectid=808672#more-views.

[Accessed: 25 November 2015].

Connolly, R.C. (1985), Lindow Man: Britain’s Prehistoric Bog Body. [Online] Anthropology Today 1(15). p. 15-17 Available from: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3032823?seq =1#page_ scan_tab_contents [Accessed: 22 November 2015].

Giles, M. (2009), Iron Age bodies of north-western Europe: Representing the dead.

Archaeological Dialogues. [Online] Cambridge Journals 16(1). p. 75-101 Available from: http://journals.cambridge.org.ezproxy.library.uvic .ca/action/displayAbstract?fromPage =online&aid=6020336&fileId=S1380203809002815. [Accessed: 03 November 2015].

Joy, J. ( 2009), Lindow Man, British Museum Press, London.

Lobell, Jarrett A., and Samir S. Patel. (2010) “Bog Bodies Rediscovered”. Archaeology [Online] Archaeological Institute of America 63 (3). p. 22–29. Available from: http://www. jstor.org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/stable/41658776. [Accessed: 02 November 2015].

Pearson, M. (1986), Lindow Man and the Danish Conection: Further Light on the Mystery of the Bogman. [Online] Anthropology Today 2(1). p. 15-18 Availible from: http://www.jstor. org/stable/3032903?seq=1#page_ scan_tab _ contents. [Accessed: 22 November 2015].

Prag, J., and Neave, R (1997), Making faces: using forensic and archaeological evidence: Bodies from the Bog, London: British Museum

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