| Cashel Man Human Mummy | |
| |
| Biographical Information | |
|---|---|
| Name(s) | Cashel Man |
| Age | 20 – 25 years old |
| Sex | m |
| Status | |
| Height | |
| Source | |
| Culture | Early Bronze Age |
| Date(s) | 2141-1960 BC |
| Site | Cúl na Móna bog |
| Current Location | |
| Location | County Laois, Ireland |
| Catalog # | |
Cashel Man was found in the Cúl na Móna bog near Cashel in County Laois, Ireland in 2011 by Bord na Mona employee, Jason Phelan. The body was lying on its right side in a fetal position. The head was missing and the torso was badly damaged from being compressed in the bog. The body was that a young male around 20-25. The body was found lying in the middle of the bog on its right side with its legs tightly flexed, buried with two hazel rods which dated to about 2100 BC. The man is believed to have been possible victim of human sacrifice.
The figure was recovered after being damaged by peat cutter.
Studies[]
According to archaeologist Eamonn Kelley's report: "...the torso had been damaged by the milling machine which also removed the head, neck and left arm. Excavation revealed that the right arm was concealed below the legs and torso. Damaged body parts including a mandible and teeth, ribs, clavicle, vertebra, skin and other fragments of tissue were recovered from disturbed peat. Following excavation it was determined that the body was crouched, orientated N-S with the head (now missing) to the south (fig. 5). The body was lying on the right side with the legs flexed tightly. It had been placed on the bog surface, possibly in a pool, and two hazel stakes marked the place of deposition. These were inserted into the bog at angles of 30 degrees and 62 degrees. It appears that the stakes would have crossed above the victim’s head."
The remains of Cashel Man are extremely well preserved for his age; radiocarbon dating suggests that he is the earliest bog body complete with intact skin known. He dates to the early Bronze Age about 4,000 years ago.
Pathology[]
CT scan revealed a clean break to his right arm that could only have happened near his time of death, his spine was broken in two places, and he had been struck multiple times in the back, probably with an axe.
Mummification[]
Bogs provide low oxygen and mild acidic conditions which allow chemical reactions to preserve flesh.
Additional[]
Cashel bog lies on an ancient territorial boundary below an inauguration site at Crosy Duff hill (Cros Dubh). The three copper axes found in the vicinity of Cashel Bog suggest that ritual deposits were being made in the area during the Early Bronze Age. The body was moved to the National Museum of Ireland for examination.
External Links[]
https://www.yourirish.com/history/ancient/bronze-age/cashel-man
http://anotherredpin.com/irish-bog-bodies-mummies-of-the-emerald-isle/