The awakening of Tollund Man
On May 6th 1950 at Bjeldskovdal bog, Denmark, two brothers Viggo and Emil Højgaard and their family came across something unsual, buried within the layers of peat that they were digging to be used as fuel. This unusual ‘something’ turned out to be the lifeless body of Tollund Man. They contacted the police immediately as they believed that the body was a recent murder, due it’s face appearing so fresh and intact. Although, the untouched peat surrounding the body clearly showed that the body wasn’t a recent victim, later confirmed by archaeologist P.V. Glob as a being from prehistory. Tollund Man’s hair had turned bright red due to the chemical content of the bog, he wore a cap on his head and a leather belt was ties across his waist. He was naked and lay to his side with a large piece of peat covering his neck, as Glob removed the strip of peat he realized that a two-stranded leather rope tied in a noose was closely tied around his neck. Could this be the reason to his death? Why was he in the bog in the first place? The mystery of Tollund Man is extraordinary, as we still question his death.
Scientific Dating techniques used on Tollund Man
The main dating technique used to determine the age of Tollund Man was Radiocarbon Dating or C-14. Radiocarbon dating revealed that Tollund Man was apart of the Bronze Age and had died over 2500 years ago (c. 210 BC). Further examination of his intestinal contents revealed that his last meal consisted of a vegetable soup made of 30 different types of seeds and weeds, grown in the springtime. Therefore, the general consensus is that Tollund Man had died 2500 years ago, during Spring.
How and why did Tollund Man die?
Forensic examination was conducted on Tollund Man as if he was a victim of a murder however, was he really murdered? The forensic examiners confirm that even know his neck was not broken, Tollund Man had been hanged because his tongue had distended (swallowed his own tongue; a common characteristic for a hanging), furthermore he was found with a rope noose around his neck and lacerations were distinct around his neck. Although, we still don’t know the context of his death, it is presumed that Tollund Man was a sacrificial victim dedicated to the Spring goddess. He was found with an iron neck ring which was symbolic of the Spring goddess, his body had been placed in a foetal position showing that he was respected and well treated after his passing, an indication that he was not a common criminal and he now belonged to the gods. In addition, a small statue doll of the spring goddess was found near his body, confirming that Tollund Man was a gift to the gods.
Facial reconstructions and artistic representations of Tollund Man
james_-_medium.mp4 | |
File Size: | 8024 kb |
File Type: | mp4 |
Facial Reconstruction of Tollund Man (0:40) {fast version}
YOUTUBE LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82GHLpQy1Qs (Long Version- Beneath)
YOUTUBE LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82GHLpQy1Qs (Long Version- Beneath)
Ancient source: Tacitus- Was Tollund Man a sacrifice?
Tacitus was a famous Roman historian who wrote about the time in his book about Germanic tribes, in around 97-98 AD. He had travelled to Northern Europe and described a criminal hanging as: “They hang traitors and renegades in trees, cowards, combat evaders and unnaturally immoral people they lower into filthy swamps and over them with branches” (2009:85)… “After this the chariot, the robes, and the Goddess herself are washed an clean in a hidden lake. This task is done by the slaves who are then drowned in the lake”
Is this source reliable though? Tacitus wasn’t born until hundreds of years after the death of Tollund Man however, his account is considered contemporary. Tacitus’ account conflicts modern hypotheses on a few counts however supports that Tollund Man was indeed hung and highly likely a sacrifice. The German tribes worship the Goddess of Spring, and the encounter of the drowning of slaves suggests that other people were apart of the sacrificial ceremony and that Tollund Man was more than likely a sacrifice.
Is this source reliable though? Tacitus wasn’t born until hundreds of years after the death of Tollund Man however, his account is considered contemporary. Tacitus’ account conflicts modern hypotheses on a few counts however supports that Tollund Man was indeed hung and highly likely a sacrifice. The German tribes worship the Goddess of Spring, and the encounter of the drowning of slaves suggests that other people were apart of the sacrificial ceremony and that Tollund Man was more than likely a sacrifice.
Scientific experts on Tollund Man
There are many views or opinions that scientific experts have on the investigation and death of the Tollund Man. First Science TV’s documentary “The Tollund Man: Denmark’s remarkable bog mummy” is based on the nature of the Tollund Man’s death and the support of the sacrifice theory. The scientist who speaks about his theory remains unknown although, provides a supporting theory that Tollund Man was put to rest due to the position where he was found, instead of thrown into the bog (ruling out other opinions of criminality). Hence, his proven and confident hypothesis that he was a sacrifice and a precious gift to the gods is accepted as a reliable theory.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CQE4c8UJkM
"the robe, judging by the way it was placed around the body's neck, was most likely not used for strangulation, and because of that it is of less importance that the cervical vertebras were undamaged since that sometimes happens when a person is hanged".- unknown source.
This quote by a forensic examiner's report suggests that the hanging theory is reliable and supported due to the common case of the distended tongue is often seen in a hanged person although, his cervical vertebras (neck) were completely intact which usually breaks during a hanging. The fact that the tongue was distended, which is more common in hanging overrides the fact that the vertebrae was not broken, therefore suggesting that Tollund Man was indeed hung.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CQE4c8UJkM
"the robe, judging by the way it was placed around the body's neck, was most likely not used for strangulation, and because of that it is of less importance that the cervical vertebras were undamaged since that sometimes happens when a person is hanged".- unknown source.
This quote by a forensic examiner's report suggests that the hanging theory is reliable and supported due to the common case of the distended tongue is often seen in a hanged person although, his cervical vertebras (neck) were completely intact which usually breaks during a hanging. The fact that the tongue was distended, which is more common in hanging overrides the fact that the vertebrae was not broken, therefore suggesting that Tollund Man was indeed hung.