Posted on 08/23/2013 6:12:21 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
The mummified remains of a body found in a Laois bog two years ago have been found to date back to 2,000BC, making it the oldest "bog body" discovered anywhere in the world.
The 4,000-year-old remains, which predate the famed Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun by nearly 700 years, are those of a young adult male.
He is believed to have met a violent death in some sort of ritual sacrifice.
The body was unearthed in the Cúl na Móna bog in Cashel in 2011 by a Bord na Móna worker operating a milling machine.
Initially, experts thought it dated from the Iron Age period (500BC-400AD), placing it on a par with similar finds in other Irish bogs.
However, radiocarbon tests on the body; the peat on which the body was lying; and a wooden stake found with the body, date the body to the early Bronze Age, around 2,000BC...
Eamonn Kelly, keeper of Irish antiquities at the National Museum of Ireland, said previously the earliest bog body discovered in Ireland dated to around 1,300BC but "Cashel man" substantially predates this period, making one of the most significant finds in recent times.
He said the remains are those of a young adult male which were placed in a crouched position and covered by peat, probably on the surface of the bog.
The man's arm was broken by a blow and there were deep cuts to his back which appear to have been inflicted by a blade, which indicate a violent death, Mr Kelly said.
Unfortunately, the areas that would typically be targeted in a violent assault, namely the head, neck and chest, were damaged by the milling machine when the body was discovered, making it impossible to determine the exact cause of death.
(Excerpt) Read more at irishtimes.com ...
The bog body found by Jason Phelan at the Bord Na Mona Cashel Bog, in Co Laois. The body is estimated to be over 4,000 years old, and is possibly the result of a human sacrifice. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times.
Helen Thomas?
Not quite right about oldest to date— but the Windover Bog find in Titusville, FL in 1984 was dated 7,990 years to 8,120 years, plus or minus 70 years.
What’s even more amazing, preserved brain tissue was found in some 91 skulls, the first from a woman of 45 years old at death. DNA sequencing was done.
State of FL allocated almost $1 Mil for excavation. Still being studied today, archived at FSU Archeaology. The oldest skeletons aged to 60 plus years refuting early death conjectures of ancient man. Truly an amazing find by a backhoe operator clearing a muck pond, who noticed “rocks” that turned out to be skulls!
http://www.nbbd.com/godo/history/windover/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windover_Archaeological_Site
“Helen Thomas?”
I thought the same thing, lol!
Genetic investigation would be very interesting as this body may be pre-celtic. Who were these people?
I think the latest genetic analysis indicates that the Irish are related to the Basques.
Hahaha. Great minds,right?
It would be great if we could start getting some DNA from these finds — maybe the bone marrow — especially the Irish finds. I’d be interested in the results from comparing it to modern lines.
I'm sure some are. To say "The Irish" however is a broad statement. Even in Ireland there are distinct genetic populations, some far older than others compared to the Central European mixed lines. And yes, the Basques are similarly unique.
Picts?
More on the FL Windover Bog discovery:
The Windover Bog Peopole: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teh90FTIKec
and regarding the DNA, which all samples contained European like DNA...speculating they came across the much reduced in width Atlantic ocean (Ice Age reduced seas):
DNA of the Windover Bog People: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbayBEbIEwc
We were having a Guiness together just Wednesday last when he said he was stepping to the bog for a moment.
Probably a Bridgeport Milling machine. 
That's Dennis Sanford's theory:
Amazing. County Laois was formerly known as County Queens - and I have great great great grandparents on my paternal side that are from that county ...
A backhoe operator noticed several skulls in the bucket of his machine.
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Not a good day at work, I am thinking.
Thanks for posting those links. Fascinating stuff.
Genetic investigation would be very interesting as this body may be pre-celtic. Who were these people?
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Interesting question.
When we visited Ireland in 1996 we got to see a man hand-digging peat. This was not a tourist demonstration. Very cool.
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