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Archaeologists have established the health, social status, even the last meal and cause of death of this Cheshire bog body. However, why he died is a matter of debate.
The Discovery of Lindow ManThe body is one of four sets of ancient human remains found in Lindow Moss, a peat bog situated in Cheshire, UK. It was discovered in August 1984 when a human foot was found in a block of cut peat. The rest of the body was found back on the Moss. It was initially believed that they could be the remains of a murdered woman. However, analysis at Macclesfield hospital established them as ancient. Lindow Man as he became known was ruled to be of national importance and taken to the British Museum for investigation by a team headed by forensic archaeologist Dan Brothwell. Lindow Man’s AgeThe team was able to establish that Lindow Man was around 25 when he died. However, the exact period of his death was harder to pinpoint. Radio carbon dating produced conflicting results. Analysis of certain material suggested the body was late Iron Age whereas others pointed to the post Roman period. However, a probable date of the late Iron Age/early Roman period was arrived at through analysis of pollen samples found in the stomach contents. What Did Lindow Man look like?Lindow man’s body was incomplete with his lower abdomen and one leg missing. Archaeologists were able to easily establish his sex as male from the fact that he had a beard and moustache. This is unique amongst male bog bodies. He was a well built individual. By looking at the length of his upper arm bone, his height was established as between 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches, making him taller than most men of his time. His weight was calculated as being 60-65 pounds or nearly 10 stone. Lindow Man’s LifestyleDespite showing signs of slight osteoarthritis, Lindow Man was in good health for the period he lived in. His teeth, although stripped of enamel by the acid environment of the peat were healthy with no cavities. He was suffering from a severe case of whip worm and maw worm but this would probably have passed unnoticed. In fact, his overall standard of living appeared to have been good, if his personal grooming was anything to go by. Electron microscopy revealed that his hair follicles were stepped; leading archaeologists to conclude that his hair was trimmed not long before his death with scissors or shears. These were not common items at the time, and this detail coupled with his well manicured nails and smooth hands led to speculation that Lindow Man had been a high ranking member of society. Nothing else could be found to indicate high rank as the body was naked except for a fox fur armband. However, the skin was found to have a high copper content, suggesting that Lindow Man’s body had been painted prior to death. Lindow Man’s Last MealLindow Man’s stomach had not decayed, allowing for the analysis of his partly digested stomach contents. By examining them under a microscope, it was discovered that his final meal was little more than a snack composed of chaff and bran. Electron spin resonance was used to establish the maximum cooking temperature of the meal, how long it was cooked for and the method used. It seemed that Lindow man had eaten a type of griddle cake, cooked on a flat surface at 200 degrees centigrade for about half an hour. During this process, it had burnt. The griddle cake was not all that was found in the stomach. From traces of pollen present, it seemed Lindow Man had also consumed a concoction made from mistletoe. Lindow Man’s Death.Lindow Man’s end was violent. He was initially hit on the head twice. One blow was hard enough to drive a splinter of bone into the brain which would have rendered him unconscious if not killed him outright. One of his ribs was broken, suggesting he may have been kneed in the back. A 1.5 mm thick thong of animal sinew was found around his neck. This is assumed to be a garrotte used to strangle him as two of his neck vertebrae were broken. Finally, there was a gash on the side of his neck that would have severed the jugular. Probably post mortem, it is assumed this was a deliberate wound. The body was then dropped face down into a bog pool. Murder Victim, Criminal or Sacrifice?The complex method of killing Lindow Man makes a straightforward murder unlikely. Some have argued that his death may have been an execution, with his simple last meal being appropriate to a criminal. However, the discovery of mistletoe, a sacred plant in the stomach contents, taken with the body’s pampered appearance and the three fold nature of his death has led to the theory that Lindow Man was in fact a sacrificial victim. Mistletoe is a narcotic with calming effects and so possibly could have been used to sedate him before the ritual began. The blow to the head, followed by garrotting and finally bleeding suggest a ceremonial ‘Triple Death.’ Lindow man’s body is possibly contemporary with the Claudian Roman invasion of Britain. Was he an important member of the tribe who was chosen to die as a sacrifice to protect his people from the invaders? The burnt griddle cake found in his stomach is consistent with a tradition whereby sacrificial victims were chosen by randomly selecting the burnt portion of a cake or bannock. On the other hand, Lindow man may have volunteered to die. His death could also have been part of seasonal ceremonies to ensure a good harvest or a safe winter. Lindow man’s smooth hands and manicured finger nails may not indicate high rank but a period of inactivity from his selection as sacrifice until his ritual death. Whatever the reason, it’s impossible to establish it for sure. SourcesThe British Museum Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice by Colin Renfrew and Paul Bahn. Thames and Hudson 1994
The copyright of the article Lindow Man in Archaeological Burial Practices is owned by Natasha Sheldon. Permission to republish Lindow Man in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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