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| '''Bog bodies''', also known as '''bog people''', are preserved ] bodies found in ]s. Under certain conditions, the ]ity of the ], the cold ] and the lack of ] 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. Some bog bodies have been dated at more than 10,000 ]s old. | |||
| Preserved bodies of humans and animals have been discovered in bogs in ], ], northern ], the ], ] and ]. Records of such finds go back as far as the ]. It is not readily apparent if a body has been buried in a bog for ]s, ]s, or ]. However, during the ], ] and medical technology was developed which allow researchers to more closely determine their age. | |||
| Unlike most ] human remains, bog bodies have skin and internal ] due to the unusual conditions of preservation. Scientists have been able to study their skin, reconstruct their appearance and even determine what their last meal was by their ] contents. | |||
| Many bog bodies show signs of being deliberately buried in the bog. ] examinations of some bog bodies suggest they were ]ly slain and placed in the bog as part of the ritual, possibly as an execution for a crime, as a ] (''See also: ]''), or even as a primitive method of ] significant individuals (as with the "mummies" of ]). Some bog bodies, such as ] from Denmark, have been found with the rope used to strangle them still around their necks. | |||
| ==Notable bog bodies== | |||
| *], found ] in Nebelgård Mose, a bog in ], Denmark. | *], found ] in Nebelgård Mose, a bog in ], Denmark. | ||
Revision as of 16:54, 19 October 2005
Bog bodies, also known as bog people, are preserved human bodies found in sphagnum bogs. 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. Some bog bodies have been dated at more than 10,000 years old.
Preserved bodies of humans and animals have been discovered in bogs in Britain, Ireland, northern Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark. Records of such finds go back as far as the 18th century. It is not readily apparent if a body has been buried in a bog for years, decades, or centuries. However, during the 20th century, forensic and medical technology was developed which allow researchers to more closely determine their age.
Unlike most ancient human remains, bog bodies have skin and internal organs due to the unusual conditions of preservation. Scientists have been able to study their skin, reconstruct their appearance and even determine what their last meal was by their stomach contents.
Many bog bodies show signs of being deliberately buried in the bog. Forensic examinations of some bog bodies suggest they were ritually slain and placed in the bog as part of the ritual, possibly as an execution for a crime, as a human sacrifice (See also: Celts and human sacrifice), or even as a primitive method of embalming significant individuals (as with the "mummies" of Cladh Hallan). Some bog bodies, such as Tollund Man from Denmark, have been found with the rope used to strangle them still around their necks.
Notable bog bodies
- Grauballe Man, found 1952 in Nebelgård Mose, a bog in Jutland, Denmark.
- Tollund Man
- Lindow Man
- The mummies of Cladh Hallan, Scotland
Also see
Reference
- P.V. Glob, The Bog People: Iron-Age Man Preserved. Reprinted 2004.
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