Clonycavan Man
Clonycavan Man | |
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Died | 392 – 201 BC now Ballivor, Meath, Ireland |
Body discovered | March 2003 |
Resting place | Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland |
Clonycavan Man is the name given to a well-preserved Iron Age bog body found in Clonycavan, Ballivor, County Meath, Ireland in March 2003. The body shows signs of having been murdered. Theories around the meanings and manner of his death vary.
Condition and characteristics
Only Clonycavan Man's head and torso are preserved. He was found in a modern peat harvesting machine, which was possibly responsible for the severing of his lower body.[1]
The scientific study of Clonycavan Man's hair has shed light on his diet leading up to his death. His diet was rich in vegetables and proteins, which indicates that he may have been killed during the warmer summer months of the year.[1][2] Clonycavan Man was also fairly young at the time of his death; he is believed to have been in his early twenties.[1]
The most distinguishing feature of the man was his hairstyle, which was raised upon his head with the help of a "hair gel"[3] of plant oil and pine resin, imported from south-western France or Northern Spain.[4][2] Remnants of a hair tie was also found on the corpse.[2] This may attest to trade between Ireland and southern Europe in the fourth and third centuries BCE, before Roman influence was brought to bear on the Celts of Iberia. This could also suggest that he was wealthy, as few others would have been able to buy imported cosmetics.[5] The hairstyle was possibly a way to make the man appear taller, as examination of his remains suggests that he was only five feet two inches tall (157.48 cm).[2]
He had a squashed nose and crooked teeth. Pores are visible on the nose, and he had a thin beard.
Death
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/98/Clonycavan_reconstruction.jpg/150px-Clonycavan_reconstruction.jpg)
Clonycavan Man is believed to have been murdered, based on an examination of the evidence found on his body by the Garda Technical Bureau (Irish Police Forensic Division). His skull looks to have been split open by a sharp implement. There is a deep wound on the top of his head, and parts of his brain have been found in this wound. There is also a large laceration across the bridge of his nose leading under his right eye. This is believed to be the blow that killed him.[2] Both injuries seem to have been caused by the same sharp implement, most likely an axe. He was also disembowelled.[6]
The reasons for his killing are unknown, but it is theorized by some that he was a ritual sacrifice of some type.[2] His nipples and other body parts that consist of fragile tissue were missing, which could be from natural decomposition, or possibly mutilation.[6] A hill that could possibly have been used for kingship ceremonies was near the bog where Clonycavan Man was found, leading to further speculation about the body.[2]
Radiocarbon dating has placed his death to between 392 BC and 201 BC,[3] during the Iron Age of western Europe, making his remains around 2,300 years old.
Display
Clonycavan Man is part of an exhibit in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin, and was included in the exhibition "Kingship and Sacrifice", 2006-2007.
See also
References
53°31′29″N 7°0′26″W / 53.52472°N 7.00722°W / 53.52472; -7.00722[7]
- ^ a b c "Iron Age 'bog bodies' unveiled". BBC News. 7 January 2006. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Ghosts of Murdered Kings - Transcript". NOVA. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
- ^ a b "Iron Age 'Bog Man' Used Imported Hair Gel". National Geographic. 17 January 2006. Archived from the original on 18 February 2006. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
- ^ "The Perfect Corpse" Transcript". PBS. 7 February 2006. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
- ^ "Tales From the Bog". National Geographic. September 2007. Archived from the original on 10 April 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
- ^ a b Sanz, Catherine (19 February 2019). "Google offended by the naked truth". The Times. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ "www.excavations.ie 2003 County Meath 10186". Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
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(approx. deathdates)
- Koelbjerg Man (c. 8000 BC)
- Luttra Woman (c. 3920–3650 BC)
- Stoneyisland Man (c. 3320–3220 BC)
- Cashel Man (c. 2000 BC)
- Borremose bodies (c. 770 BC)
- Girl of the Uchter Moor (c. 764–515 BC)
- Haraldskær Woman (c. 490 BC)
- Gallagh Man (c. 470–120 BC)
- Kayhausen Boy (c. 400–300 BC)
- Tollund Man (c. 4th c. BC)
- Clonycavan Man (c. 392–201 BC)
- Old Croghan Man (c. 362–175 BC)
- Elling Woman (c. 350–150 BC)
- Damendorf Man (c. 300 BC)
- Grauballe Man (c. 3rd c. BC)
- Lindow Man (c. 200 BC–119 AD)
- Lindow Woman (c. 200 BC–119 AD)
- Weerdinge Men (c. 160 BC–220 AD)
- Huldremose Woman (c. 160 BC–340 AD)
- Yde Girl (c. 54 BC–128 AD)
- Windeby I (c. 41 BC–118 AD)
- Osterby Man (c. 70–220 AD)
- Amcotts Moor Woman (c. 200–400 AD)
- Bocksten Man (14th c. AD)
- Gunnister Man (c. 18th c. AD)