Scientific Methods
SCIENTIFIC METHODS USED TO EXAMINE TOLLUND MAN ARE:
X-Ray - Showed us that Tollund man's cervical vertebrae were not broken, normally a hanged persons vertebrae will be severed. Forensic examiners still maintained that Tollund man was hanged despite the in tact spine.
Finger-Print Examination - Tollund mans fingers provide us with the longest and oldest in tact fingerprint in Denmark, the analysis showed that the epidermis had decomposed due to the long exposure to the bog water but the patterns were very well preserved.
X-Ray - Showed us that Tollund man's cervical vertebrae were not broken, normally a hanged persons vertebrae will be severed. Forensic examiners still maintained that Tollund man was hanged despite the in tact spine.
Finger-Print Examination - Tollund mans fingers provide us with the longest and oldest in tact fingerprint in Denmark, the analysis showed that the epidermis had decomposed due to the long exposure to the bog water but the patterns were very well preserved.
Endoscopy - This was used to examine the digestive track of the corpse. From it, scientists concluded that Tollund man's last meal was consumed 12-24 hours before his death because the contents had already started to enter the large intestine. His last meal had been a combination of 40 different grains and seeds with no sign of fruit, vegetable or meat in his digestive track.
An Autopsy was conducted to determine the cause of death of Tollund man, examiners came to the conclusion that he was hanged, even though contradictory evidence such as the in-tact vertebrae was found, leading to some suggestions that the rope around his neck was used to strangle rather than hang.
Other scientific processes used to examine the corpse of Tollund man include: infrared, ultraviolet light and CT scanning
An Autopsy was conducted to determine the cause of death of Tollund man, examiners came to the conclusion that he was hanged, even though contradictory evidence such as the in-tact vertebrae was found, leading to some suggestions that the rope around his neck was used to strangle rather than hang.
Other scientific processes used to examine the corpse of Tollund man include: infrared, ultraviolet light and CT scanning
DATING TECHNIQUES USED TO EXAMINE TOLLUND MAN
Carbon-14 dating - When organisms are alive, they all absorb carbon. Carbon comes in carbon-12, carbon-13 and carbon-14. When an organism dies, the carbon-14 slowly disappears, therefore scientist are able to date organisms based on the amount of radioactive carbon-14 that is left in the organic material. From this information scientists have determined: - Tollund man died approximately 2400 years ago - He was approximately 30-40 years old when he died - died 300-400 years B.C. (immediately after the end of Bronze Age in Denmark) Since this bog body was found while a couple of men were digging for peat, stratification may have also been used to relatively date the corpse. |
FORENSIC ANALYSIS OF THE BODY
The endoscopy told scientists of the contents of Tollund man's last meal, but it is forensic examination that determines that his last meal resembled a thick gruel, the 40 different kinds of seeds and grains were not all local and therefore would have to be specially prepared, this supports the theory that Tollund man was sacrificed and the food found is thought to be part of the ritual of the sacrifice.
The low level of carbon-13 found that Tollund man did not eat fish although there was a sufficient supply of marine animals in the area he is said to have lived, this suggests Tollund man may not have liked to eat fish.
The endoscope and autopsy also tells us that Tollund man's death was most likely sacrificial, most people in his society were cremated and so the fact that his body was so well treated and preserved proves his body served a purpose such as a sacrifice. It was also clear from the examination that he had not led a life with a high level of personal hygiene as there was an intestinal worm found in his gut.
The finger-print analysis proved that human fingers from 2000 years ago are still very similar to those on humans today, with similarly intricate patterns.
The endoscopy told scientists of the contents of Tollund man's last meal, but it is forensic examination that determines that his last meal resembled a thick gruel, the 40 different kinds of seeds and grains were not all local and therefore would have to be specially prepared, this supports the theory that Tollund man was sacrificed and the food found is thought to be part of the ritual of the sacrifice.
The low level of carbon-13 found that Tollund man did not eat fish although there was a sufficient supply of marine animals in the area he is said to have lived, this suggests Tollund man may not have liked to eat fish.
The endoscope and autopsy also tells us that Tollund man's death was most likely sacrificial, most people in his society were cremated and so the fact that his body was so well treated and preserved proves his body served a purpose such as a sacrifice. It was also clear from the examination that he had not led a life with a high level of personal hygiene as there was an intestinal worm found in his gut.
The finger-print analysis proved that human fingers from 2000 years ago are still very similar to those on humans today, with similarly intricate patterns.
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WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNT ABOUT THE PAST FROM THE STUDY OF THE BODY
Religious Sacrifice The examination of the Tollund man’s body unlocked the past about the Pre-Roman Iron Age in Scandinavia and revealed to us the shocking truth about the religious practices followed by these people. An episode of Solving History with Olly Steeds, featuring John Grigsby, recipient of a Bachelor's degree in Prehistoric European Archaeology and History and a Master's degree in Celtic Studies, and Miranda Jane Aldhouse-Green who is a British archaeologist and Professor of Archaeology at Cardiff University, explains the Celtic pagan or possibly Norse mythology religious sacrifice and the possible death of Tollund man using forensic analysis. According to these experts and supported by Classical literature by Tacitus, the ritual that may have killed Tollund man combines sex, drugs and bloodshed. The ritual is said to have been a recreation of the mating of Earth Goddess Nerthus and fertility God Freyr. Sacrifice has also been linked consistently with psychedelic drugs and Tollund man also supports this as ergot (a fungus found on barley - has similar affects to LSD) was found in his digestive track. Ancient Danish Textiles Technology Through the artefacts found with the Tollund man’s body, we were able to learn several ways the ancient Celtic people produced their textiles items. The Sewing Technique: A pointed cap was found on Tollund man upon his discovery, this cap was sewn together using thread made of wool as thick as button thread is today, with a needle the size of a small daring needle. This cap was made with eight pieces of sheepskin with the smooth side facing up as the woolen side faced inward, presumably to keep him warm. The Belt making Technique his wide belt was made out of oxhide Food People living in Iron Age Denmark had a gruel containing seeds and grains as a meal. Through the examination of the Tollund man’s stomach content and other excavations, we learned that meat was a scarce source due to the low level of livestock, although it is believed he may have had meat at some stage since he had traces of an intestinal worm in his gut. Moreover, through the location the Tollund man was found indicated that they had easy access to fish and other marine organisms. |