While walking through Mummies of the World: The Exhibition, you will notice mummification does not just happen artificially, with humans preserving the body through a lengthy process. In some instances, nature intervenes and bodies are mummified simply because of the environments in which they are buried. Natural mummies occur most often in extreme environments. They form in very hot and dry, or in very cold places, or locations with high a concentration of certain chemicals and low levels of bacteria. As seen in the exhibition is one of the rarest kinds of natural mummies- the bog body. This is because peat bogs are typically only located in a few areas, and the environment needs to be just right for mummification to occur.
Today, we are going to explore more about the conditions within a bog that makes the mummification process possible and some notable examples of bog bodies.
What are bog bodies, and where are they found?
Bog bodies are the remains of humans that have been preserved due to the unique pH levels present within bogs. They have been found throughout Europe and even in North America, dating from 8000 BC to the 20th century. The most famous and well-preserved specimens are from Iron Age northwestern Europe, with some individuals appearing to be recently deceased. The cold, acidic conditions of the low-oxygen bog environment preserve skin and anything else containing keratin, such as hair and nails.
Why are bog bodies important, and what can we learn from them?
Because bog bodies are mummified naturally, they often have their skin and organs intact. Researchers can learn things from these individuals that they might not be able to learn from other mummies that were preserved purposely or through other natural methods. Some bog bodies still have food in their stomachs that researchers can gain valuable information from, such as their culture and lifestyle. Additionally, we can learn what the environment was like during that time period based on what foods were available. Some bog bodies still have visible tattoos, and many were killed violently. For prehistoric cultures that left no written record, we can piece together some of these clues to try to understand how life was and potentially try to understand some of their idealistic rituals and symbolism.
What are the oldest and most recent bog bodies?
The most recent bog bodies that have been discovered are the bodies of soldiers from WW2 who died during the battle. The oldest bog body discovered to date is the Koelbjerg Man from Denmark, who died about 10,000 years ago. Using isotope analysis, researchers discovered that he had a diet primarily of seafood and plants, and that he lived in the same region for his whole life.
What are some of the most famous bog bodies?
The 2,000 year old Yde Girl from the Netherlands had severe scoliosis and was about 16 when she died. Found wearing a woolen cloak, she was strangled to death by a band that was wrapped three times around her neck, and she was possibly stabbed near her left collarbone. Due to the circumstances of her death, some researchers believe she was the victim of a ritualistic killing. Facial reconstruction was performed in 1994 to provide an idea of what she looked like.
The Tollund Man from Denmark is the best-preserved bog body that has been found, dated to 2,400 years ago. Found wearing a pointed sheepskin hat, he was about 40 years old, and his last meal consisted of porridge made from seeds and grains, which he ate approximately 12-24 hours before his death. He died by hanging, with the intact leather noose still tied around his neck. He suffered from three different types of parasites, likely from drinking contaminated water.
Found in Ireland, the Clonycavan man is approximately 2,300 years old. At his time of death, he had a diet of mostly fruits and vegetables. One of the most noteworthy aspects of this find is the ancient hair gel that was used to style his hair, which contained pine resin and plant oils from Spain and France, suggesting he was wealthy or possibly even royal. His death was caused by three blows to the head, but he was also strangled, stabbed, hit on the nose and chest, and disemboweled. His death is usually considered to have been sacrificial in nature.
What about bog bodies in North America?
Although bog bodies are generally believed to be only found in Europe, there are some instances of bog bodies in North America as well. One of the most famous sites is Windover Pond in Florida, where 168 individuals have been found so far, dating from 7,000 to 8,000 years ago. During the Archaic period, people were burying their dead in this shallow pond, using wooden stakes driven through the clothes of the deceased to keep the bodies under the water. Using brain tissue preserved by the peat, researchers were able to sequence DNA of some of the bodies found and discovered they were of Asian origin, similar to the four main Native American haplotypes. They also discovered the people had few cavities but worn-down teeth, due to sand in their food or using their teeth as tools. Large quantities of medicinal plant seeds were present in the stomachs of some individuals.
Embark on a journey into the extraordinary world of mummies and mummification. Reserve your timed ticket in advance of your visit on CTScienceCenter.org.
Thaea is currently an anthropology student at Central Connecticut State University. Her main interests are in archaeology, specifically of Ireland and the Mediterranean. She has studied many languages and is fluent in Italian and Russian, and conversational in Greek. Her hobbies include training for and racing triathlons (swimming, biking and running), singing opera, and writing and producing music.
