Tollund Man Theories for death

Question 1

What were the four theories?

Answer 1

offering to god
not strangulation
did die of strangulation
criminal/to get rid of him

Question 2

Evidence for offering to god:

Answer 2

• written account by Tacitus
• carried into bog and carefully placed in sleeping position where his eyes and mouth were closed after death (cared for)
• Appeared in area where people used to dig peat in Iron Age, therefore humans could be offering to god in return for the peat.
• Cremation was part of burial customs in all, except for those of who were sacrificed. Tollund man placed in bog without being cremated.

Question 3

Evidence of not strangulation:

Answer 3

• rope, judged by the way it was placed around neck not used for strangulation
• cervical vertebras undamaged (usually happens when hanged)
  But, forensic examiner still believe he was hanged despite the evidences

Question 4

Evidence of strangulation:

Answer 4

New examinations support that he was in fact hanged.

- tongue had become distended/swollen - characteristic seen in hanged people

Question 5

Evidence of being a criminal/to get rid of him:

Answer 5

• Tacitus account states that the Celtic tribes hanged traitors in trees, and those afraid to go to war and unnaturally immoral people were lowered into filthy swamps and covered with branches
• however, this is unlikely as people who hanged him were not in bad terms with Tollund Man (took great care)