Tullund Man was a body found in a peat bog in 1950, Denmark. His 2,000+ year body was unbelievably preserved, and the contents of his last meal was found in his stomach! Find out how the bog preserved this amazing piece of the past.
Organic materials and their survival depend on two factors: the climate, and materials surrounding the organic material (known as the matrix). Natural disasters can also lead to the preservation of archaeological sites. These include mudslides and volcanic eruptions (such as that of ancient Pompeii, Italy).
Waterlogged sites are usually very good at preserving bodies. These types of sites include swamps, peat bogs, fens, and marshes. Organic materials are preserved in this wet and airless wetland. However, the water logging must occur up until the time of excavation. If the site dries out decomposition may occur.
In Northwest Europe the peat bogs tell an interesting tale. Most bodies found in the bogs are remarkably from the Iron Age. The bodies that were preserved were usually victims of sacrifice, or were executed criminals. Their lifeless bodies were not given the traditional burial or cremation of the time, but instead thrown into the peat bog.
Tullund Man
Found in a village in Tullund, Denmark, was this man. Many peat bogs in Northwest Europe tell interesting tales, and are usually from the Iron Age. Tullund Man’s body was found in unbelievable condition. At first look, one would think that the person had died days ago. Tullund Man, however, is over two thousand years old! Due to the fact that a rope was found tied around his neck, it is believed that Tullund Man was a sacrifice to the goddesses of fertility. Forensic examining led to the conclusion that he was hanged.
The skin of Tullund Man was preserved, but many of his bones disappeared over time. Some of his organs also vanished, but his stomach and its contents were preserved in this waterlogged environment. Scientists have reported that Tullund Man’s last meal consisted of porridge, made up of vegetables and seeds. Amazingly, the face of the man is so well preserved that you can distinctively see his facial features.
Because the body was found in the 1950’s, when preservation techniques were not very good, only Tullund Man’s head remains preserved. His head and artificial body is displayed at the Silkeborg Museum, Denmark.
Usually 75-90% of finds within a waterlogged site contains organic materials. Due to this, archaeologists are now focusing on excavating in wetland sites, specifically in Northwest Europe. Drainage and peat cutting have made excavating these sites even more crucial.
Author: Ima Write | Source: Scienceray [June 12, 2008]