Lindow Man -Scientific Investigation

Question 1

Radio carbon dating?

Answer 1

measures amount of carbon 14 in organic matter to determine approx age.

Question 2

Radio carbon result?

Answer 2

Lindow man dated to be from between 2BC-AD119

Question 3

Radio carbon possible indication from result?

Answer 3

lived during iron age
date similar to other bog bodies and similar reasons for death reflecting law/religion at time
Roman histories could help us understand his death as they are written around this time
e.g Strabo, Julius Caesar, Tacitus

Question 4

Scanning Electron microscopy

Answer 4

uses electron microscope to produce high resolution, three dimensional images

Question 5

Scanning electron microscopy results?

Answer 5

beard/moustache hairs had ‘stepped’ ends = trimmed with fine shears or scissors not knife/blade
stomach had sphagnum moss spores; crushed wheat, bran and barley grains; and also mistletoe pollen

Question 6

scanning electron microscopy possible indication?

Answer 6

privileged member of society (wealthy/respected) as groomed with proper equipment.
- maybe society had different classes which were reflected in appearances
-or made to look good as a ceremonial human sacrifice?
mistletoe pollen links to celtic religion/sacred (maybe religious sacrifice or was just near mistletoe tree and fell in food)
died in Winter or Early Spring from evidence of grains and cereals in stomach

Question 7

Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) Spectroscopy

Answer 7

examine changes in molecule structure to determine exposure to heat

Question 8

ESR- electron spin resonance spectroscopy results:

Answer 8

Ate burnt griddle cake before his death (grainy bread)

Question 9

Electron spin resonance spectroscopy possible indication:

Answer 9

• last meal
• links to Festival of Beltain by historical knowledge: Held by Celtic tribes in Spring in times of great danger, eg. failure of crops or attack by Romans
  - > sought help of sun God, Belenos by human sacrifice
  
  • > Burnt portion of griddle cake was eaten by the ‘devoted one’, before given to god as sacrifice. Therefore LM may have had a ritual/religious significance. (considered a Beltain sacrifice)

Question 10

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Answer 10

determine composition of elements in sample

Question 11

Results from atomic absorption spectrometry

Answer 11

torso skin had high levels of copper content, suggesting copper pigments applied as a body paint

Question 12

Possible indication from result of atomic absorption spectrometry:

Answer 12

• part of celtic religion

- may have been made to wear it as part of ritual for human sacrifice by the Druids

Question 13

Visual examination:

Answer 13

to examine/analyse body to draw conclusion

Question 14

Visual examination:

Answer 14

to examine/analyse body to draw conclusion

Question 15

Results from visual examination:

Answer 15

• 25-30 years old
• muscular and at peak of physical condition
• brown/ginger hair, moustache and beard (neatly trimmed)
• hands manicured and cared for
• neck and torso bore marks of stab wounds

Question 16

Possible indication from visual examination:

Answer 16

• did no labour from manicured hands (wealthy)
• healthy and active ( as did no labour, maybe sports or soldier)
• stab wounds = murder, ritual sacrifice to spill blood

Question 17

What are the five methods used on Lindow Man?

Answer 17

1. Scanning Electron Microscopy
2. Electro Spin Resonance (ESR) Spectroscopy
3. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
4. Radio Carbon Dating
5. Visual Examinations