| Damendorf Man Human Mummy | |
| |
| Biographical Information | |
|---|---|
| Name(s) | the Damendorf Man |
| Age | unknown |
| Sex | Male |
| Status | unknown |
| Height | unknown |
| Source | |
| Culture | Iron Age European |
| Date(s) | Discovered in 1900, died in approximately 300 BCE. |
| Site | The Village of Damendorf in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany |
| Current Location | |
| Location | The Archäologisches Landesmuseum |
| Catalog # | N/A |
The Damendorf Man is a German "bog body" discovered in 1900 in the See-Moor bog in the village of Damendorf, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
Biography
The Damendorf Man died in approximately 300 BC. He was discovered with skin, nails, hair, a few bones, a leather belt and leather shoes. Due to the weight of peat and mud in the bog, this mummy has a distinctive flat appearance. As for cause of death, there is evidence of a possible cut mark in the thorax area. The Damendorf Man was found face-down, with his head resting on an outstretched left arm.
Mummification
During the Iron Age from approximately 500 BC. to 500 AD., bodies were often cremated. This led leading experts to believe that mummies preserved in bogs met their demise through particularly violent means or by natural causes. Unlike the thorough and intentional mummification processes seen with the Egyptians, for example, bog bodies are naturally well preserved by the environment. The lack of oxygen, increased antimicrobial action and sphagnum found in bogs act as natural preservatives for the human body.
Studies
Dr. Heather Gill-Robinson of North Dakota State University, Fargo, examined the Damendorf Man with CT scanning technology in September of 2007. Dr. Gill-Robinson identified five lower vertebrae, a partial cranium, shrunken but intact brain, both femurs and a pelvis. Many of these anatomical features are not outwardly visible to the human eye.
Pathology
It appears the Damendorf Man died of trauma wounds rather than disease.
Additional Info
The mummy is currently on display at the Archäologisches Landesmuseum in Schleswig, Germany.
External Links
https://pages.vassar.edu/realarchaeology/2014/09/14/heather-gill-robinson-bog-body-extraordinaire/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070908095852.htm
https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/18435/Thesis.1.a.pdf?sequence=1
References
Menetti, F., O'Sullivan, A. 2013. The Oxford Handbook of Wetland Archaeology, Bog Bodies: Underwater Burials, Sacrifices, and Executions. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK: Print. Pg. 408-409.
"Damendof Man". Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damendorf_Man