Injuries Sustained
Lindow man is perhaps one of the most gruesome bog body findings to date. Forensic analysis of his remains reveals a large magnitude of horrific injuries sustained moments before death. These injuries include three blows to the head, two broken vertebrae, a broken rib, a fairly small slit in his throat and a sword wound in the chest. The vicious blows in the head which are believed to be from a narrow bladed axe were powerful enough to break the bone and cave in his skull by driving these broken fragments inwards. Further research found a leather thong that was tied very tight around his neck, which is believed to have been used to either contain blood flow from the slit in his throat or used in order to hang him.
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Cause and Context of Death
The results of the above analysis suggest three scenarios which are able to determine the cause and context of his death: 1. He was mugged and beaten to death, dying from blood loss and severe internal injuries (this is supported by the fact that he was a high status member of society and is most likely rich, making him a likely target).
2. He was mugged, beaten, strangled and then hung, dying from a combination of blood loss and suffocation.
3. He was a subject of a ritual sacrifice or ceremony.
2. He was mugged, beaten, strangled and then hung, dying from a combination of blood loss and suffocation.
3. He was a subject of a ritual sacrifice or ceremony.
Theories of Death
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Forensic analysis of Lindow Man’s body revealed a high magnitude of horrific and gruesome injuries that he sustained. This has caused both archaeologists and scientists to develop many theories about how and why Lindow man died. The majority of these theories have many similar elements however there are some that are completely different. As there are no living humans who were present prior to his death and no written records of how he died we can never be 100% sure of how he died. The three main theories of how he died that have developed after utilising all available evidence are:
1. The Ritual/Ceremony theory: Examination of Lindow Man’s stomach revealed traces of mistletoe pollen. Mistletoe Pollen was used in the drinks of druid priests and the fact that Lindow Man was of a higher status in society suggests that he was a druid priest. Using this evidence it is believed that he was Druid sacrificial victim in which Druids gave his life to the Gods in return for good fortune and health. It is believed that during the ritual Lindow Man was killed from the blows to the head and once dead blood was spilt (indicated by the small slit in through) for symbolic reasons. The leather thong was then used to control the flow of blood. This is the most likely and most agreed upon theory of Lindow man’s death. Other injuries found on his body are believed to have occured post ritual.
2. Executed as a criminal or Murdered by thieves/enemies: As Lindow man was of high stature it is likely that he had numerous enemies and was a highly sought out person. Based on the theory that he was a criminal once caught he was brutally beaten (this may be in order to send a message to other townspeople) and then executed for his crimes. He died from lynching (hanging). However the theory that he was murdered by thieves/ enemies is very likely once looking at the extent of his injuries. This theory suggests that he was captured or corned by thieves/ enemies, beaten to death and then mugged. This is likely as he was found with no possessions.
3. Scapegoat of his local Townsfolk: Many believe that Lindow Man was a scapegoat of his Local Townsfolk who blamed him (as he was a Druid priest) for all the unnatural occurrences and problems that occurred in the village. Once capturing him, they savagely beat him. They caved his skull in with a narrow bladed axe, stabbed him in the stomach with a sword and slit his throat. Finally, they tied him to a post and hung him, either to send a message or as a sacrifice.
The following video is a theory of Lindow Man's death given by a scientist who was working on his body.
1. The Ritual/Ceremony theory: Examination of Lindow Man’s stomach revealed traces of mistletoe pollen. Mistletoe Pollen was used in the drinks of druid priests and the fact that Lindow Man was of a higher status in society suggests that he was a druid priest. Using this evidence it is believed that he was Druid sacrificial victim in which Druids gave his life to the Gods in return for good fortune and health. It is believed that during the ritual Lindow Man was killed from the blows to the head and once dead blood was spilt (indicated by the small slit in through) for symbolic reasons. The leather thong was then used to control the flow of blood. This is the most likely and most agreed upon theory of Lindow man’s death. Other injuries found on his body are believed to have occured post ritual.
2. Executed as a criminal or Murdered by thieves/enemies: As Lindow man was of high stature it is likely that he had numerous enemies and was a highly sought out person. Based on the theory that he was a criminal once caught he was brutally beaten (this may be in order to send a message to other townspeople) and then executed for his crimes. He died from lynching (hanging). However the theory that he was murdered by thieves/ enemies is very likely once looking at the extent of his injuries. This theory suggests that he was captured or corned by thieves/ enemies, beaten to death and then mugged. This is likely as he was found with no possessions.
3. Scapegoat of his local Townsfolk: Many believe that Lindow Man was a scapegoat of his Local Townsfolk who blamed him (as he was a Druid priest) for all the unnatural occurrences and problems that occurred in the village. Once capturing him, they savagely beat him. They caved his skull in with a narrow bladed axe, stabbed him in the stomach with a sword and slit his throat. Finally, they tied him to a post and hung him, either to send a message or as a sacrifice.
The following video is a theory of Lindow Man's death given by a scientist who was working on his body.