Ancient Human RemainsEvaluating the Evidence

How are bodies preserved?•Marshy, boggy soil in Europe & Britain

•Airless – slows decay•Acidic water – discourages micro-organisms

Bog conditions

•Desert conditions•Buried in hot, dry sand – dries out bodies (desiccation)

Extreme dryness

•The Ice man is a famous example

•Permafrost soil – always semi-frozen

Freezing/ extreme cold

•Turned into human fossils as fine ash covering them turned hard as concrete

•Flesh decayed but outline preserved like a plaster cast

Volcanic ash

•Mummification•Bodies dried out with salt

•Internal organs removed

•Wrapped in linen strips

Human intervention

The Bog BodiesApprox date of death (C-14)

Where Found

Injuries/ cause of death

When found

Lindow Man

300BC Britain Head wound, strangled, throat cut

1984

Grauballe Man

55BC Denmark Throat cut 1952

Windeby Girl

?C1st AD ? Germany/ Denmark

Seems to have been drowned

1952

Tollund Man

210BC Denmark Noose around neck

1950

Research QuestionsTYLER & JORDIE (ANTIQUITY)

SAMMIE (UNLOCKING THE PAST)

In which country have most of the bodies been found?

What do the bodies have in common? (Table 10.2)

What were Lindow Man’s injuries? (Profile p.113)

Why might these injuries have been done to Lindow man? (Sources, p.114)

Why is the bread in Lindow’s man stomach important? (p.114)

What was Windeby girl wearing? (p.53)

Look at the writing by Tacitus? (p.53) How does this match with the evidence for Windeby girl?

Why were sacrifices often made in lakes and bogs?

What are some possible explanations for the deaths of the bog bodies?

Who was Otzi?EVIDENCE CONCLUSIONS

OccupationGrain & wheat in containersDagger with scabbardTool sharpenerNet of grass stringsHealthLow level lead pollutionHigh cholesterolTechnologySkilfully made copper axeVariety of toolsUnfinished bow (yew wood) & arrowsLifestyleDegeneration of bone jointsRib fracturesWorn teeth (no decay)Tattoos above jointsBackpackIbex bones (dangerous to hunt)AntibioticOriginsCarbon-DatingCopper Axe

Contact with farming village suggested; perhaps shepherd or hunter? Seems used to being away for long periods.

Lead pollution – mining/ smelting? Meat diet.

Access to advanced technology – weapons/toolsVariety of woods/plantsSelf-sufficient?

Active, overuse of joints?Dangerous/violent lifestyle?Meat diet, teeth used for other purposes (toolmaking?)Treatment for joint pain?Used to being away from home/ prepared for wounds

Neolithic Age (3360-3040BC)

Who was Otzi?Evidence Conclusions

Occupation

Grain & wheat in containersDagger with scabbardTool sharpenerNet of grass strings

Contact with farming village suggested; perhaps shepherd or hunter? Seems used to being away for long periods.

Health Low level lead pollutionHigh cholesterol

Lead pollution – mining/ smelting? Meat diet.

Technology Skilfully made copper axeVariety of toolsUnfinished bow (yew wood) & arrows

Access to advanced technology – weapons/toolsVariety of woods/plantsSelf-sufficient?

Lifestyle Degeneration of bone jointsRib fracturesWorn teeth (no decay)Tattoos above jointsBackpackIbex bones (dangerous to hunt)Antibiotic

Active, overuse of joints?Dangerous/violent lifestyle?Meat diet, teeth used for other purposes (toolmaking?)Treatment for joint pain?Used to being away from home/ prepared for wounds

Origins Carbon-DatingCopper Axe

Neolithic Age (3360-3040BC)