1. European Bog Bodies: From the Iron Age Peat Bog to the 21st Century
By: Samantha Brown
Mentor: Dr. Rick Weathermon
University of Wyoming: Department of Anthropology

2. Agenda Introduction Methods Analysis/Discussion Conclusion Background
Preservation
Mummy vs. Bog Body
Methods
Analysis/Discussion
Conclusion

3. Introduction

4. Background Individuals have been dated from 8000 BCE through WWI
Scattered across northwestern Europe (England, Ireland, Denmark particularly)
Focus on the Iron Age (Four individuals)
Many have been attributed to ritual violence

5. Preservation Interred in Peat Bogs
Slowing of putrefaction resulting in mummification caused by the polysaccharide Sphagnan
Mallard reaction
Causes decalcification of bony tissues, resulting in preservation of soft tissues

6. Importance of Preservation
Soft tissue provides evidence of trauma, as well as, pathological conditions
This process also is apt at preserving other organic tissues

7. Negative aspects of Preservation
Decalcification makes examination of bony tissues difficult, particularly in cases of trauma vs. taphonomy
Removal of remains from the peat bog may cause shrinkage, causing bone deformation due to pliability

8. Bog Body vs. Traditional Mummy
Preserved due to chemical processes in peat bogs
Preservation of soft tissues
Bone decalcification
Wet environment
Preserved due to human intervention, or environmental factors (bog bodies are natural mummies).
Preservation of soft tissues
Bone maintains integrity
Dry environment

9. Mummies

10. Methods/Purpose Examining previous research
How historical interpretations have been affected by modern technologies

11. Analysis/Discussion

12. Graubelle Man 1952, Nebelgaard Bog, Denmark
“Over-Kill” Theory and ritual violence
CT-Scanning

13. Tollund Man Jutland Peninsula, Denmark Cranial Fracturing
Preserved with a Sheepskin cap, leather belt, and two strand leather cord

14. Weerdinge Couple 1904, Netherlands
Potential evidence for ritual violence

15. Conclusions

16. Works Cited
Giles, Melanie “Iron Age bog bodies of north-western Europe. Representing the dead.” Archaeological Dialogues 16:1(2009): Accessed August 24, 2016 DOI: /S
Killgrove, Kristina “A Brief History of Bog Bodies (and Butter).” Mental_Floss. Created Accessed April 24, butter
Lobell, Jarrett A. and Samir S. Patel “Bog Bodies Rediscovered.” Archaeology 63:3 (2010): Accessed August 24,
Lynnerup, Niels “Medical imaging of mummies and bog bodies- A mini-review.” Gerontology 56:5(2010):
Lynnerup, Niels “Bog Bodies.” The Anatomical Record 298(2015):
NOVA “Bog Bodies of the Iron Age.” Created January
Stodkilde-Jorgensen, Hans, Niels Otto Jacobsen, Esbern Warncke, Jan Henemeier “The intestines of a more than 2000 years old peat-bog man: microscopy, magnetic resonance imaging and 14C-dating.” Journal of Archaeological Science 35 (2008):