The discovery of ancient human remains is always a significant event, and few sources of archaeological finds provoke more fascination than peat bogs. These unique environments have preserved bodies so well that we can study our ancestors in astonishing detail, even down to the contents of their last meal.
Bog bodies, as these preserved remains are often referred to, have been found throughout Europe, predominantly in the northwestern regions such as Ireland, Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark.
In the Americas, the Windover Bog in Florida, USA, has been a significant source of archaeological discovery. Bog bodies have also been found in other regions, including some parts of China and Australia, albeit less frequently.
The bog bodies discovered to date span a period from as early as 8000 BCE to the medieval period. Notably, the Tollund Man, discovered in Denmark in 1950, dates back to around 400 BCE during the Iron Age. In the Windover Bog in Florida, remains have been discovered that are estimated to be over 7,000 years old.
There are various reasons why these bodies ended up in bogs, ranging from accident, murder, to ritual sacrifice.
Bogs were viewed as liminal or transitional spaces in ancient cultures, neither fully land nor fully water, and thus they had a significant spiritual significance. They were often used for rituals, including human sacrifice. The archaeological evidence suggests that many of the bog bodies discovered show signs of violent deaths, lending credibility to the sacrifice theory.
Bogs have unique properties that make them excellent at preserving organic materials. They are low in oxygen, which slows the process of decomposition, and they have highly acidic water, which tans the human skin and soft tissues, a bit like leather.
Simultaneously, the sphagnum moss that often makes up peat bogs releases a substance called sphagnan. This polymer binds with nitrogen and essentially 'pickles' the body, preventing the bacteria that cause decay from consuming the tissues.
The preservative properties of bogs extend not only to human remains but also to clothing and other organic materials. Several bog bodies have been found with their clothes still on, providing invaluable insights into ancient clothing designs and techniques. For example, the Elling Woman, discovered in Denmark and dated to the Iron Age, was found wearing a plaited belt made of wool.
Artifacts such as weapons, jewelry, and even butter and cheese have also been found, preserved for centuries or millennia in the unique conditions of the bog.
The mysteries of ancient bog bodies continue to draw archaeologists and historians worldwide, offering a remarkably clear window into the past. Through these remarkably preserved human remains and the artifacts found alongside them, we can gain a deeper understanding of our ancestors' lives and deaths, their beliefs, rituals, and everyday practices. The bogs, with their unique preservation properties, serve as remarkable time capsules that hold countless more secrets to be unveiled.
Blog Bodies - Article Posted Oct 10, 2023
