Violent death in the bogs of Ireland
- Published
The headless body of Old Croghan Man was found preserved in the bog in 2003. He had died sometime between 362BC and 175BC
His well manicured hands indicate he was unused to manual labour
But experts believe he died a violent death from multiple blows and stab wounds and his torso was cut in half
Clonycavan Man was also found in 2003. He too is believed to be around 2,500 years old
Experts found evidence of a type of pine-based gel in his hair, believed to have been imported from France or Spain
But he also suffered a violent end, having been struck three times across the head with an axe and disembowelled
Cashel bog in Co Laois where the latest remains were discovered in 2011
The bog is a busy place with machines such as this one, harvesting the peat
Cashel Man is in a very compressed state and many parts are missing. Carbon dating suggests he is 4,000 years old
Some features such as his backbone are clearly visibly despite being buried under the peat for so long
The one distinctive arm shows evidence of a deep cut from an axe or sword
While the body has been carbon dated, a range of other scientific tests are now being carried out to learn more about the remains