Old Croghan Man, a remarkably well-preserved bog body dating back to the Iron Age, was unearthed in Ireland in 2003. Belonging to a young man in his mid-20s, the body bore evidence of multiple cuts and a noose around the neck, leading experts to speculate about a violent attack or sacrificial ritual. The low oxygen and acidic conditions in the bog contributed to the mummification process, remarkably preserving the skin, hair, and internal organs. The discovery of Old Croghan Man has offered invaluable insights into the lives of ancient Celts in Ireland, and his remains are now on display at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.

Ireland’s bogs harbor secrets rarely brought to light, yet they reveal a wealth of details when they do. Old Croghan Man and Clonycavan Man, now exhibited at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin, exemplify this intriguing phenomenon.

Isabella Mulhall, Assistant Curator of Antiquities at the National Museum of Ireland, intimately knows their tales. These bog bodies on display at the museum hail from the Iron Age, with one discovered not far from Galway. Millennia have passed since they last saw daylight, yet they are remarkably preserved by the bog’s conditions.

Mulhall explains, “Bogs are dark and wet, with sphagnum moss creating ideal conditions for body preservation. These conditions maintain bones, skin, soft tissue, and even internal organs. These bodies retain hair, intact textiles, wood, and even jewelry.”

Oldcroghaп Maп bog body, 2003:14

These conditions do cause up to 15% shrinkage in a body, so we have to consider that when estimating someone’s height. Additionally, the chemicals in the bog seem to turn a body and its hair redder than they were in life. However, despite these changes, so much of the body remains intact that our team has been able to piece together details such as what they ate before death, their experiences prior to being placed in the bog, and their health conditions leading up to their demise.

“It’s truly remarkable, and you can glean so much more information from a bog body than you could ever obtain from decomposed bodies and skeletons.

The bog bodies all appear to have met violent ends before ending up here. Many were of high status within their communities, and most are missing limbs. Yet, each one tells a personal story that contributes to a history never before fully understood.

The bog bodies have all been discovered through peat harvesting. Over time, harvesting efforts have unearthed them, each one found by accident rather than through a deliberate search.