Early Irish history is being rewritten following the discovery of two 2,300-year-old bodies in Irish bogs. An intensive 18-month investigation since their recovery has revealed important new findings and has forced a revision of our understanding of Irish Iron Age society, writes Dick Ahlstrom, Science Editor.
The National Museum of Ireland co-ordinated an international effort to study the two bog bodies since 2003 when they were unearthed in counties Meath and Offaly. The highly detailed forensic analysis was done by the State Pathologist, the Garda Technical Bureau, experts from the museum and up to 30 scientists from six countries.
The Irish Times publishes details of the research effort this morning in co-operation with the BBC's Timewatch programme, which filmed the work. The study showed the two bodies, Clonycavan Man and Old Croghan Man, were both murdered, victims of separate ritualistic killings before the disposal of their bodies in bogs.
The intensive analysis also provided remarkable insights into ancient society in Ireland. Clonycavan Man, for example, used an expensive "Iron Age hair gel" made from pine resin and imported from the Continent. Old Croghan Man was something of a giant, standing an estimated 198cm (6ft 6 in), but electron microscope examination of his finger nails showed he did no physical labour whatsoever.
Neither body was complete, but their exceptional state of preservation meant that a great deal could be learned from them, said the National Museum's assistant keeper of Irish antiquities, Isabella Mulhall, who co-ordinated the project.
Perhaps most importantly, an expert at the museum has developed a compelling new theory on late Bronze and early Iron Age Irish society that should also help point the way to new archaeological discoveries. The museum's keeper of Irish antiquities, Ned Kelly, noted that both bog bodies were discovered along ancient tribal boundaries. Looking back he found that 40 body discoveries in Irish bogland were made along boundaries.
He extended his search to include other late Bronze and early Iron Age material and horse bits turned up along with wooden yokes, weapons, cauldrons, personal ornaments, crowns and gold collars on tribal borders. "These, I believe, are items associated with kingship," said Mr Kelly.