The Ancients Bog Bodies
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Oct 23, 2025 Join Professor Melanie Giles, an expert in bog bodies from the University of Manchester, as she explores the captivating world of these naturally mummified remains. Discover the secrets of their preservation, the intriguing cases of Tollund Man and Lindow Man, and the potential reasons behind their deaths, from sacrifice to accident. Giles also unveils the vital role bogs played in Iron Age society and their importance in modern ecological efforts. This discussion promises to illuminate the mysteries of our ancient past!
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How Bogs Preserve Flesh
- Peat bogs chemically tan soft tissues, producing leathery, darkly coloured preservation distinct from typical skeletal finds.
- This preservation reverses usual archaeological expectations by preserving skin and hair while degrading bone.
Peat Cutting Revealed Finds
- Intensive peat cutting in the post-medieval period exposed many bog bodies to antiquarian discovery and documentation.
- Many early finds survive only as 'paper bog bodies' recorded in diaries and letters.
Time Range And Peak Periods
- Bog bodies span from Mesolithic remains to modern incidents, but cluster heavily in the mid-late Bronze Age through the Iron Age.
- Peat expansion in that period increased accidental and deliberate depositions into bog landscapes.
