Archaeology Magazine - Bodies of the Bogs - Violence in the Bogs


Violence in the Bogs	"Bodies of the Bogs"

In 1859 the severed head of a female was found in Stidsholtmose in Jutland, Denmark. She was decapitated by a blow between the third and fourth vertebrae. Her hair was tied in a knot to which a woven band was fastened (this band no longer exists). The head has never been scientifically dated, and remains of the rest of the body were never found. (National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen)
	Two skeletons were found in 1949 in Sigersdal Mose, near Veksø on Sealand, Denmark. This skull was severely damaged during excavation. The cord that was used to kill this individual is visible around the neck. The sex of this 18-20-year-old person cannot be established with certainty. The individual died between 3650 and 3140 B.C. (National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen)
The skeletal remains of Pormose Man were found by peat workers in 1946. He was 35-40 years old when he died around 3500 B.C. A bone arrow point was found projecting downward obliquely through his nasal cavity and the right half of his upper jaw. He was most likely killed by a second projectile which was found through his breastbone. (National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen)
	Grauballe Man came to light in 1852 in a small bog known as Nebelgård Mose, Jutland in Denmark. The naked body of this adult male had been placed in an old turf cutting. He died a violent death. His throat was cut, and he received severe blows on his head and left leg. Analysis of the contents of his intestines revealed that he consumed porridge which consisted largely of weed seeds. Because no remains of summer fruits were found, it is believed that he died in the winter. This must have happened between 170 B.C. and A.D. 80. (Forhistorisk Museum, Højbjerg, Denmark)
Kayhausen Boy, found in Lower Saxony, Germany, was tightly bound with garments. Strips of woolen fabric had been used to tie his arms behind his back, and a length of textile had been wound around his neck, passed between his legs and back up to his neck where the two ends had been tied. His feet were held together by a cape. He was also stabbed with a knife several times in his throat and left arm. This sinister act took place sometime in the last centuries B.C. during the Late Iron Age. (Staatliches Museum, Oldenburg)

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