Bodies from the Bog

In 1952, Danish workmen digging in a peat bog made an astonishing discovery. Their shovels struck the head of a dead man, his face flattened by the weight of the peat and his skin as brown as the earth in which he lay. Who was he and how had he come to be there? Scientists examined him and learned the answers to these questions and many more, including how he died and even what he ate on his last day. In this fascinating glimpse into the world of the bog people, Deem explains to readers who those people were, how they lived, what they believed, and how peat bogs preserve bodies.

Review :
"Deem's carefully researched photo-essay examines the newest information on these remarkable finds and pieces it with other known facts to present as clear a picture of [Iron Age] people as possible under the circumstances. Some are obviously sacrificial victims; others may be guilty of some crime or act punishable by death. The bodies themselves, in various stages of preservation and decay, whisper down the ages in half-heard, almost indecipherable voices, hinting at religious beliefs and justice codes unknown to us. A chapter on the bogs themselves gives readers a clear understanding of this unusual preservation process, and the whole is lavished with crisp full-color photos (and sepia-toned historical ones). Obviously the high 'ick' factor here will attract cursory attention, but [this book] should motivate some intense and extremely interesting research." "Deem begins with the discovery of a man buried in a peat bog near Grauballe, Denmark; originally thought to be an accident victim of the last century, he turned out to be a sacrifice victim from 2,000 years ago. Deem goes on, in an exceptionally well-organized and riveting text, to describe other early peoples of Europe and how they were preserved in bogs. He also clearly explains the make-up of the bogs and their preservation qualities. Most striking here, however, are the color and black-and-white photographs that appear on every page.There are excellent photos of artifacts and scientific procedure, but it is the pictures of the mummies themselves that mesmerize. Startling in their clarity, it is impossible not to look at these pictures and wonder about the people shown in them." "For budding archaeologists, or any child interested in exploring scientific mysteries, James Deem's straightforward text and superior choice of photographs (many of them taken at the sites where naturally mummified bog bodies have been found) unfold a compelling story of Iron Age Man." "A fascinating, if gruesome, look at the history and science of preserved human remains uncovered in peat bogs in Ireland, England, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany. Discoveries of bog mummies, skeletons, and body fragments are described, as are the scientific methods of investigating them. One chapter also details other items found in the bogs, while another describes the ecology of the bogs. Although the dating and causes of death are difficult to ascertain precisely, various clues enable scientists to assign specific periods between 4500 b.c. and 1500 a.d. during which the bodies were deposited in the bogs, and to make likely guesses about the nature of the deaths. Some of the victims seem to have been sacrificed, while others show signs of stabbing or hanging. The text is both engaging and accessible, and the starkly dramatic photographs are given dignity by the spacious and understated page design." Horn Book "For budding archaeologists, or any child interested in exploring scientific mysteries, James Deem's straightforward text and superior choice of photographs (many of them taken at the sites where naturally mummified bog bodies have been found) unfold a compelling story of Iron Age Man." Parent's Choice (R) "Deem's carefully researched photo-essay examines the newest information on these remarkable finds and pieces it with other known facts to present as clear a picture of [Iron Age] people as possible under the circumstances. Some are obviously sacrificial victims; others may be guilty of some crime or act punishable by death. The bodies themselves, in various stages of preservation and decay, whisper down the ages in half-heard, almost indecipherable voices, hinting at religious beliefs and justice codes unknown to us. A chapter on the bogs themselves gives readers a clear understanding of this unusual preservation process, and the whole is lavished with crisp full-color photos (and sepia-toned historical ones). Obviously the high 'ick' factor here will attract cursory attention, but [this book] should motivate some intense and extremely interesting research." School Library Journal, Starred "Deem begins with the discovery of a man buried in a peat bog near Grauballe, Denmark; originally thought to be an accident victim of the last century, he turned out to be a sacrifice victim from 2,000 years ago. Deem goes on, in an exceptionally well-organized and riveting text, to describe other early peoples of Europe and how they were preserved in bogs. He also clearly explains the make-up of the bogs and their preservation qualities. Most striking here, however, are the color and black-and-white photographs that appear on every page.There are excellent photos of artifacts and scientific procedure, but it is the pictures of the mummies themselves that mesmerize. Startling in their clarity, it is impossible not to look at these pictures and wonder about the people shown in them." Booklist, ALA, Starred Review