Role of Science
Dictionary
X-Ray: a photographic or digital image of the internal composition of something, in this case, a human corpse.
Autopsy: an examination of a body by specialist doctors and scientists to determine the cause of death.
Radiography: the process of taking radiographs to display information and analyse in medical examinations.
C14 Radio Carbon Dating: this form of dating can date organic materials that are between 50,000 to 400 years old. It works based on the fact that all living things absorb Carbon-14, allowing scientists to measure the amount of carbon remaining in an organism.
The use of Scientific Techniques
When Tollund Man was first discovered in 1950, X-rays revealed that he was male and that the brain, heart, lungs and other organs were all undamaged and well preserved. X-rays also showed images of his teeth which revealed that his wisdom teeth had grown through revealing that he was an adult. X-rays of the skull were also analysed, allowing scientists to come to the conclusion that Tollund Man was approximately around 30 to 40 years old. (Doctor Christian Bastrup, 1950)
Autopsies were also completed revealing that his cause of death was by hanging, evident through the marks and strains left on his neck and under his chin by the rope. Although this is the case, they also revealed that there was no damage to the cervical vertebrae. (Pathologist Kay Schourup, 1950)
In 2002, radiography testing was also conducted which revealed that his tongue was distended, which is a clear sign of death by hanging. This explains how Tollund Man was hanged in such a way that he was strangled and his cervical vertebrae were not damaged. This form of death was common among societies living during this time, as they would sacrifice animals or even humans in this case, in thanks to the Gods for providing peat from the bogs. (Aarhus District General Hospital Director, 2002) This scientific evidence is also supported by ancient writers such as Tacitus, who wrote "At fixed seasons all tribes of the same name and blood gather through their delegations at a certain forest... and after publicly offering a human life, they celebrate the grim 'initiation' of their barbarous worship. There is a further tribute which they pay to the grove: no on enters it until he has been bound with a cord." (Germania, 39, 1-2)
Examination of the archaeological site gave some clear pointers as to how old Tollund Man's body was. The layer of sediment underneath his body contained moss, which was formed in Danish peat bogs in the early Iron Age or the Celtic Iron Age. Researchers estimated from this information that Tollund Man must have been alive over 2000 years ago. C14 Radio Carbon Dating was then conducted revealing that Tolland Man died during the period of 375BC to 210BC, confirming the estimations made by the researchers at the archaeological site. Forensic Scientists used a piece of his skin tissue which was the size of a fingernail to be used as the sample for the C14 Radio Carbon Dating. (Henrik Tauber, 1977)
Further scientific analysis of skin tissue revealed that his body was so well preserved due to the acids that were in the peat bog, the lack of oxygen underneath the ground and the cold climatic conditions of Northern Europe, particularly Denmark. (Therkel Mathiassen, 1952)
Examinations were also conducted on his stomach contents, revealing Tollund Man’s last meal that consisted of a mixture of seeds, grain, barley and oats made into a porridge, which was eaten approximately 12 to 24 hours before his death. These foods were normally grown in Spring, therefore revealing to researchers that Tollund man died during this time of year. Many bog bodies discovered were infected with intestinal parasite whipworm, which also was found in Tollund Man. (Hans Helbæk, 1950) In 1978, Tollund Man's fingers were taken to the police and his fingerprints were scanned, making them one of the oldest fingerprints ever recorded. (H.P. Andersson, 1978)
X-Ray: a photographic or digital image of the internal composition of something, in this case, a human corpse.
Autopsy: an examination of a body by specialist doctors and scientists to determine the cause of death.
Radiography: the process of taking radiographs to display information and analyse in medical examinations.
C14 Radio Carbon Dating: this form of dating can date organic materials that are between 50,000 to 400 years old. It works based on the fact that all living things absorb Carbon-14, allowing scientists to measure the amount of carbon remaining in an organism.
The use of Scientific Techniques
When Tollund Man was first discovered in 1950, X-rays revealed that he was male and that the brain, heart, lungs and other organs were all undamaged and well preserved. X-rays also showed images of his teeth which revealed that his wisdom teeth had grown through revealing that he was an adult. X-rays of the skull were also analysed, allowing scientists to come to the conclusion that Tollund Man was approximately around 30 to 40 years old. (Doctor Christian Bastrup, 1950)
Autopsies were also completed revealing that his cause of death was by hanging, evident through the marks and strains left on his neck and under his chin by the rope. Although this is the case, they also revealed that there was no damage to the cervical vertebrae. (Pathologist Kay Schourup, 1950)
In 2002, radiography testing was also conducted which revealed that his tongue was distended, which is a clear sign of death by hanging. This explains how Tollund Man was hanged in such a way that he was strangled and his cervical vertebrae were not damaged. This form of death was common among societies living during this time, as they would sacrifice animals or even humans in this case, in thanks to the Gods for providing peat from the bogs. (Aarhus District General Hospital Director, 2002) This scientific evidence is also supported by ancient writers such as Tacitus, who wrote "At fixed seasons all tribes of the same name and blood gather through their delegations at a certain forest... and after publicly offering a human life, they celebrate the grim 'initiation' of their barbarous worship. There is a further tribute which they pay to the grove: no on enters it until he has been bound with a cord." (Germania, 39, 1-2)
Examination of the archaeological site gave some clear pointers as to how old Tollund Man's body was. The layer of sediment underneath his body contained moss, which was formed in Danish peat bogs in the early Iron Age or the Celtic Iron Age. Researchers estimated from this information that Tollund Man must have been alive over 2000 years ago. C14 Radio Carbon Dating was then conducted revealing that Tolland Man died during the period of 375BC to 210BC, confirming the estimations made by the researchers at the archaeological site. Forensic Scientists used a piece of his skin tissue which was the size of a fingernail to be used as the sample for the C14 Radio Carbon Dating. (Henrik Tauber, 1977)
Further scientific analysis of skin tissue revealed that his body was so well preserved due to the acids that were in the peat bog, the lack of oxygen underneath the ground and the cold climatic conditions of Northern Europe, particularly Denmark. (Therkel Mathiassen, 1952)
Examinations were also conducted on his stomach contents, revealing Tollund Man’s last meal that consisted of a mixture of seeds, grain, barley and oats made into a porridge, which was eaten approximately 12 to 24 hours before his death. These foods were normally grown in Spring, therefore revealing to researchers that Tollund man died during this time of year. Many bog bodies discovered were infected with intestinal parasite whipworm, which also was found in Tollund Man. (Hans Helbæk, 1950) In 1978, Tollund Man's fingers were taken to the police and his fingerprints were scanned, making them one of the oldest fingerprints ever recorded. (H.P. Andersson, 1978)
Images of Scientific Analysis of the Body
1. An X-ray of Tollund Man's head and spine.
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2. Tollund Man's intestines.
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3. Tollund Man's head after being preserved.
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4. Carbon 14 Dating equipment used in the analysis of Tollund Man.
7. Tollund Man's head being scanned by X-Rays.
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5. Forensic scientists examine the head of Tollund Man.
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6. Fingerprints were taken of Tollund Man's thumb.
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