A Civilian Report Of Human Bones Protruding From A Peat Bog In Ireland Led To The Discovery Of A Well-Preserved Skeleton Of A Teen Boy That’s At Least 2,000-Years-Old
After a civilian reported seeing human bones sticking out of a peat bog in Northern Ireland, police went to investigate the discovery. There, they found a well-preserved skeleton of a teenage boy with portions of his skin and fingernails still intact.
At first, authorities weren’t sure whether the remains were ancient or belonged to someone recently deceased, so they treated the investigation like a potential crime scene.
“This approach also ensures that any DNA evidence could be secured for any potential criminal investigation. Ultimately, this wasn’t the case in this instance,” said Nikki Deehan, a detective inspector with the Police Service.
Forensic anthropologists confirmed that the skeleton was between 2,000 and 2,500 years old. Additionally, the individual was between the ages of 13 and 17 when he died.
Radar technology showed that he was just over three feet below ground. The bog in which he was located was near a village called Bellaghy, earning the teenager the nickname of “Bellaghy Boy.” The boy is now part of a collection of corpses that are referred to as “bog bodies.”
Bog bodies have been found in places like Denmark, England, Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Some bodies had been sacrificed victims, while others were executed as criminals or had died from an accident. However, the cause of the Bellaghy Boy’s death is unclear.
These ancient remains are known for their remarkable states of preservation, which are made possible by the chemical processes that occur within these bogs. The bogs contain few minerals, low levels of oxygen, cold temperatures, and wet, acidic soil that work together to create the ideal conditions for preservation.
In addition, the presence of sphagnum moss helps prevent the growth of bacteria. Over the centuries, bog bodies from various time periods have been uncovered. The best-conserved example is the Tollund Man from Denmark, who was found with facial hair.
Most of the Bellaghy Boy’s bones were recovered, along with bits of skin, fingernails, toenails, and even a kidney. However, his skull was missing. Researchers don’t know if the skull was separated from his body before or after his death.
Alexandra – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
Due to the excellent condition of his body, researchers were able to use radiocarbon dating to place his time of death.
“This is the first time radiocarbon dating has been used on a bog body in Northern Ireland, and the only one to still exist, making this a truly unique archaeological discovery for Northern Ireland,” said Deehan.
The ancient teenager was found on land owned by the Department of Agriculture. The department is transferring the bog body to National Museums Northern Ireland, where further examinations will be conducted in order to determine how the boy died and to gather more information about the early history of Europe.
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