Danish Iron Age

Above: Borremose, an agricultural Iron Age village in western Denmark. The cobbled main path is restored, and low turf ridges mark foundations of houses and barns. This village dates from the Celtic Iron Age, 2000 to 2500 years ago (Rud 1979).

Tollund Man, a bog body found in 1950 from western Denmark. The original head of Tollund Man is preserved and displayed at the Silkeborg Museum. The rest of the body is a reproduction from original remains, which were utilized for scientific investigations. The leather noose around his neck indicates the manner of death.

Tollund Man and similar bog bodies in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands date from the Roman and Celtic Iron Age, from 1600 to 2500 years BP (Rud 1979). Such bodies were preserved in acidic peat bogs. Tollund Man was likely a holy man judging by the condition of his skin and stomach contents. He was about 40 years old at the time of death, which was ~350 years B.C. Elling Woman was discovered in 1938 in the same bog about 40 m away from Tollund Man. Both are considered to be sacrifices to the gods.

Elling Woman displayed at the Silkeborg Museum in a manner similar to how she was found buried in peat. Note the well-preserved hair.

All photos © J.S. Aber.
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