The Tollund Man

E519343

The Tollund Man is a naturally mummified Iron Age body discovered in a Danish peat bog, renowned for its exceptional preservation and insights into ancient ritual practices.

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Observed surface forms (4)

Surface form Occurrences
Tollund Man 0
The Tollund Man in Springtime 1
Tollund 1

Statements (55)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Iron Age person
archaeological find
bog body
human mummy
ageAtDeath approximately 30–40 years
associatedWith other Danish bog bodies
bodyPosition fetal-like position
causeOfDeath hanging
clothingItem hide thong around neck
leather belt
pointed skin cap
clothingStatus otherwise naked
countryOfDiscovery Denmark NERFINISHED
culture Pre-Roman Iron Age Scandinavia
currentCity Silkeborg NERFINISHED
currentCountry Denmark NERFINISHED
currentLocation Silkeborg Museum NERFINISHED
dateOfDiscovery 1950-05-08
discoveredBy Viggo Højgaard NERFINISHED
local peat cutters
displayStatus on public display
estimatedDateOfDeath 4th century BCE
c. 405–380 BCE
evidenceOfExecution noose around neck
eyes closed
facialExpression peaceful
gender male
height approximately 161 cm
interpretation possible executed criminal
possible ritual sacrifice
lastMeal barley-based gruel
containing flax and wild seeds
name Tollund Man NERFINISHED
nooseMaterial plaited leather thong
notableFeature intact hair
visible stubble on chin
well-preserved facial features
placeOfDiscovery Bjældskovdal bog NERFINISHED
peat bog near Tollund
preservationEnvironment acidic peat bog
preservationMechanism anaerobic waterlogged conditions
tannins from sphagnum moss
preservedPart face
head
internal organs
skin
referencedIn archaeological literature on bog bodies
regionOfDiscovery Jutland NERFINISHED
scientificAnalysis CT scanning
forensic examination
radiocarbon dating
scientificSignificance important example of natural mummification
key evidence for Iron Age ritual practices
stateOfPreservation exceptionally well preserved
stomachContents porridge of grains and seeds

Referenced by (4)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Electric Light hasPart The Tollund Man
this entity surface form: The Tollund Man in Springtime
The Spirit Level hasPart The Tollund Man
this entity surface form: Tollund
The Spirit Level hasPart The Tollund Man
this entity surface form: Tollund II
Wintering Out hasPoem The Tollund Man