In the 1950a Danish family busy cutting peat for fuel came across a surprising discovery. A perfectly preserved human body emerged from the ground of a swamp in the region of Bjaeldskovdalin Denmark. At first it was thought he was yet another murder victim, but the reality was much more fascinating. Scientists determined that the body dated back to the Iron Age, circa 2,400 years ago.
This man, known today as Tollund Manhad died by hanging, but the circumstances of his death remain shrouded in mystery. Perhaps a human sacrifice, perhaps a punishment, his face, slightly smiling, has captured the attention of generations of scholars.
Who was the Tollund Man?
The body of Tollund Man, with dark, bronzed skin, lay curled in a fetal position on a bed of peat. Radiocarbon and morphological analyzes revealed that the man, approximately 1.60 m tall, was between 30 and 40 years old at the time of his death, which occurred between 405 and 380 BC. His body was exceptionally preserved by the swamp, thanks to a unique mix of acidity and absence of oxygen, which kept tissues such as skin, nails and even the brain intact.
In life, Tollund Man lived there Jutland during the early years ofIron Agea time when the local community grew cereals, raised animals and performed religious rituals, often linked to the swamps. These marshy lands were seen as gateways to the supernatural world and often housed offerings to the gods, including human victims.
Theories about his death and the mystery still unsolved
The Tollund Man had been buried naked, wearing only a hood and one belt. Although he did not wear clothes, recent investigations have suggested that throughout his life he alternated between periods of walking barefoot and periods of wearing footwear.
A thorough analysis of his intestinal remains revealed the last meal eaten: a portion of barley porridge, wild seeds, flax and fish. However, there were no traces of psychotropic substances often associated with human sacrifice. This detail fuels the debate about the reason for his death: a sacrifice to appease the gods or a punishment for crimes?
The careful position of the body, with eyes and mouth closed, suggests a ritual burial. Despite this, some scholars speculate that Tollund Man may have been a criminal or a victim of revenge. Another advanced scenario is that of human sacrifice, made necessary by an environmental or social crisis. Over time, the story of Tollund Man has inspired poets, artists and scientists and continues to inspire requests about the nature of his life and death.