The Bog Bodies

Curious Dragonfly Monthly Science Newsletter The Bog Bodies Bog Bodies of the Iron Age Archeologists and scholars in North- ern Europe have been investigating a mystery dating back 10,000 years, all the way to the Iron Age. Hundreds of bodies were discovered buried in the peat moss wetlands around the area. These "bog bodies" have been found in regions of Ireland, the United King- dom, Germany, the Netherlands, and most particularly, in Denmark. Due to a lack of oxygen and to the anti-microbial properties of the peat moss, the bodies are well-preserved. Facial features, fingerprints, hair, nails and other identifiable traits are impressively preserved. With no written records from Iron Age Europeans (800B.C. to A.D.200), scientists can only speculate how and why the bodies ended up where they did. Cremation was customary at that time, so bog burials must have a special meaning. Why do you think the ancient people buried their bodies in the bog? What is a Bog? A bog is one of the four main types of wetlands. A bog is made up of peat, dense layers of decayed vegetaion, mostly bog moss and low shrubs, which settle at the bottom of pools and is compressed over cen- turies by the weight of more plant matter accumulating on top. The only water source comes from precipitation, and the water is highly acidic, is low in nutrients, and has very little oxygen. Who are They? "Bog bodies" is a term commonly used to classify the hundreds of human remains from Northwestern Europe that date to the Iron Age (500 B.C. - A.D. 100). Celtic tribes lived during this time period, and the bogs were sacred settings for religious rituals, incuding oferings, dedications, and ritual sacrifices. Some bog bodies bear horrific wounds - slashed throats, strangulation marks, stab wounds, and even decapitation. Because they were buried instead of being cremated like most others in their communities, scientists originally suggested the bodies were criminals, slaves, or simple commoners who were sacrificed. However, new research suggests when these people were alive, they may have been special members of their villages. New chemical analysis shows that, when alive, the "bog bodies" had traveled long distances before their deaths. Re-analyzation of their clothing suggests some of it was made in foreign lands, and was more elaborate than previously thought. Scientists may never definitively know whether any individual was a priest or a criminal, honored or punished, executed or sacrificed. But bog bodies are not just archeological finds; they are intact humans that have a story written in their uncannily-preserved bodies. 1. Where do you think the "bog bodies" came from? 2. Do you think they were sacrificed or murdered? 3. What other reasons would the bodies be placed in the bog wetland? 2 "Secrets of the Bog: The Hair Has It" According to a forensic anthropologist at the University of Copenhagen who has studied them, the bog bodies were sacrificed. How- ever, the mystery revolves around why. He has discovered some of the bodies may have been foreigners to the region. Perhaps they had special status because they came from abroad, or were hostages of raiding parties into other areas. It's also possible that the person considered it an honor to be chosen and voluntarily went to the bog. New scientific testing can trace where a person lived over the last few years of their life by testing the strontium isotope in human hair. Since hair grows so slowly, analyzing strontium atoms at the root of someone's hair versus the bottom of their hair may reveal geographic movement. The longer the hair, the longer the record of their movements. Haraldskaer Woman has 20-inch long locks. Analysis of her hair shows she had lived elsewhere before her death. They are also studying her clothing, which may have been made in another country. Stylish Ancient Hair! The Clonycavan Bog Man was discovered in Ireland and dates back 2,300 years. One of the most notable parts of his preserved body was his distinguished hairstyle, considered an 'ancient mohawk.' The front of his hair was shaved, while the remainder was several inches long. Scientist discovered an ancient form of hair gel made of plant oil and pine resin in his hair. The presence of this hair gel indicated he was fairly wealthy during his lifetime, because it was made from materials found in France and Spain. The man was only five feet, two inches. They believe he had this hairstyle to make himself appear taller. Why would he want to be taller? 3 New scientific studies suggest many of the bog body 'victims' were in poor health, although it's impossible to know how they compared with their fellow tribesmen. Almost all of the bodies had intestinal worms, and many sustained broken bones for years before their death. One woman discovered in the Netherlands was identified with a very rare bone disease called dyschondrosteosis. Her arms and legs were severely stunted. Bog people also sufered from more common problems like osteoporosis, arthritis, extra digits, scoliosis, rheumatism, and arrested growth. This last is often a result of malnutrion. Stomach contents have revealed the bog bodies subsisted on a poor diet. Scientists have discovered particles of grain, seeds, and weeds in their stomachs. Most of the vicitims consumed a meager last meal of a thin gruel made from barley, flax and other weeds. This was then washed down with bog water because most of the bodies have peat moss in their stomachs as well. Only a few had traces of animal bone or fruits in their system. The food in the bodies' stomachs can also tell scientists in which season the person died. One woman's stomach contained a large number of blackberry seeds. Blackberry season runs from late summer to early fall. So she was probably buried in the late summer. The stomach of a Grauballe man suggests he met a horrible end. His gut contained fungal spores that cause ergot in cereal. If eaten, they trigger a gruesome condition sometimes called Saint Anthony's fire. The victim sufers convul- sions and hallucinations and feels as if his hands, mouth, and feet are on fire. Do you think Grauballe man accidently ate this toxic fungus? Or was it part of a ritual? Who's Who in Bog Bodies? Here are a few examples of some specific bog bodies discovered in Northern Europe, and the information that is known about them. Gallagh Man 400-200 B.C. (Found in Galway, Ireland in 1821) Gallagh Man was discovered lying on his left side, draped in a skin cape. Beneath the cape he was naked. Whether he once wore linen clothes that have disappeared over time is unclear. He was anchored to the peat with two long wooden stakes, and around his neck was a band of willow rods likely used to strangle him. He was roughly 25 years old. Meenybraddan Woman A.D. 1500-1600 (Found in Donegal Ireland in 1978) The style of the woolen cloak in which she was wrapped dates this woman to the late 16th century, distinguishing her from the more common Iron Age bog bodies. She was in her late 20s or early 30s when she died. Given that she was interred in a peat bog, she may have been a murder victim or a suicide. Old Croghan Man 350-175 B.B. (Found in County Ofaly, Ireland in 2003) Old Croghan Man fits the classic profile of an Iron Age bog body. He died a gruesome death, sufering repeated cuts and stabs before he was dismembered. His torso, the only part of him recovered, reveals he was extremely tall for his time, standing roughly 6'6". Who's Who in Bog Bodies? Lindow Man 100 B.C.-A.D. 100 (Found near Manchester, England in 1984) Lindow Man was in his late 20s and, unlike most bog bodies, he wore a beard and mustache. He had mild arthritis but good teeth and well-manicured nails. He sufered from a severe case of whip worm, but would probably have not noticed. His death was far worse than a simple execution: he was struck on the head, had his throat cut, and was throttled with a rope made of animal sinew, perhaps to increase the bleeding, before being thrown facedown into a watery bog. A most unpleasant way to die. Reconstructed face of Lindow Man. Lindow man seemed to be healthier and better groomed than the other Bog Bodies. He seemed a man of privilege. Why do you think he sufered a far worse death than the other bodies? Amcotts Moor Woman A.D. 200-400 (Found in Lincolnshire, England in 1747) Unearthed long before the modern era of scientific inquiry into and preservation of bog bodies, the only remnant of Amcotts Moor Woman is now her left shoe. The design of the leather shoe dates her to the late Roman Period in Europe. Her right shoe and hand were sent to the Royal Society in London soon after she was discovered, but like many bog body finds before the 19th century, they have disappeared without a trace. Who's Who in Bog Bodies? Yde Girl 100 B.C.-A.D. 500 (Found in Drenthe, The Netherlands in 1897) A small percentage of bog bodies are children. Yde Girl appears to have been strangled by a woolen waistband (or belt) and stabbed in the collarbone at the age of 16. Some experts believe she was selected for sacrifice in part because of her awkward gait and curved spine.

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