Bog bodies are human bodies that have been naturally mummified in a peat bog.
They are geographically and chronologically diverse and have been found dated between 8000 BCE and World War II.
However, they have all been found in peat and are partially preserved, but the actual level of preservation varies from perfectly preserved to only the skeleton.
What makes the remains unique is the retention of skin and internal organs due to the unusual conditions of the peat bog.
Due to the highly acidic water, low temperature, and oxygen levels. Still, the bones are not due to the dissolution of the calcium phosphate in the bone from the peat’s high acidity.
However, this allows for skin, hair, nails, wool, and leather to be preserved, all of which contain the protein keratin.
One of the most perfectly preserved bog bodies is the Yde Girl, found in the late 1800s.
The Yde Girl Is one example of a modern forensically facial reconstruction, allowing for researchers to have a glimpse of what she may have looked like over 2000 years ago.
10 /10 Finding Her Body
The well-preserved mummy of a teenaged girl was found on May 12th, 1897, by a man working in the Stijfveen peat bog.
This is in the Dutch province of Drenthe, near a village called Yde.
The mummy became known as Het Meisje van Yde, Dutch for “The Girl from Yde.”
9 /10 Startling Discovery
While her body was found initially by two turf cutters, who were so shocked with the discovery immediately fled. News of their discovery spread rapidly quickly.
The mayor of Vries then told the Provincial Museum in Assen.
It was then found this was a unique find and was of immediate interest to the museum.