Weerdinge Men
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Paar_van_Weerdinge%2C_Drents_Museum%2C_1904_VII2A.jpg/220px-Paar_van_Weerdinge%2C_Drents_Museum%2C_1904_VII2A.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Weerdinge-men_1904.jpg/220px-Weerdinge-men_1904.jpg)
The Weerdinge Men is the name given to two bog bodies found in 1904 in Weerdinge, Drenthe, in the southern part of Bourtange moor, in the Netherlands. Radiocarbon dating shows that they likely died between 160 BC and 220 AD. At first, it was believed that one of the two bodies was female, which led to the name "Weerdinge Couple", or, more popular, "Mr. and Mrs. Veenstra", veen being the Dutch term for bog and "Veenstra" being a common Dutch surname.[1]
Pathology
The more complete Weerdinge Man had a large wound on his chest, through which his intestines spilt out. Some observers believe that this points to a ritualistic purpose for the killing.[1] Strabo, a Roman historian, recounts tales of Iron Age Europeans attempting to divine the future by "reading entrails."[2] The cause of death of the other Weerdinge Man is unknown.
References
52°50′48″N 6°57′24″E / 52.84667°N 6.95667°E / 52.84667; 6.95667[3]
- ^ a b Nephin, Dan (6 July 2005). "Mummy Exhibit Shows Off Interactive Side". AP Online. Archived from the original on 29 June 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.(subscription required)
- ^ NOVA | The Perfect Corpse | Bog Bodies of the Iron Age | PBS
- ^ van der Sanden, Wijnand (1990). Mens en moeras: veenlijken in Nederland van de bronstijd tot en met de Romeinse tijd. Assen: Drents Museum. pp. 62 Fig 14. ISBN 90-70884-31-3.
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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)