The cool, highly acidic and low-oxygen conditions of the humble peat bog make it the perfect environment in which to naturally mummify human corpses. The well-preserved remains which have emerged from peat across Ireland, Britain, Denmark and Germany have captured our imagination for centuries. Whilst some date from prehistory with a significant cluster in the Iron Age and early Roman era, others are much more recent.
In this talk Melanie Giles will explore the science behind their miraculous preservation and, through a series of case histories, reveal some of the stories contained in these remains. From violent death and suggestions of sacrifice, to executions and accidental deaths in bad weather, the archaeology of these human remains enables us to tell moving stories about past lives. It also helps us ‘see’ bogs and other wetlands differently, and the talk will place the archaeology of peatlands in the wider context of their increasing importance in the climate crises.
Jim Peters, The British Museum's collections manager for British and European Prehistory will give a short introduction to 'Lindow Man', the preserved bog body of a man discovered in a peat bog near Wilmslow
MELANIE
GILES
Professor Melanie Giles is an archaeologist at the University of Manchester. She is a specialist in mortuary archaeology, including the ‘Arras culture’ burials of East Yorkshire, and the well preserved ‘bog bodies’ from north-western Europe. Author of several books, she features regularly in the media, and works extensively with creative artists to champion and celebrate archaeology and heritage.
| Ticket | Event time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
|
Bog Bodies - Face-to-face with the Past
LMOD Ticket
|
15:30 - 16:55 | £12.00 |
Address
The Dissenters' Chapel, Kensal Green Cemetery, 391 Ladbroke Grove, London, W10 5AB
Nearest Station
Ladbroke Grove (Tube)
Getting there
1. The ticket holder voluntarily assumes all risks and danger incidental to the event for which the ticket is issued, whether occurring prior, during or after the event. The ticket holder voluntarily agrees that the management, venue, event participants, DesignMyNight WFL Media Ltd and all of their respective agents, officers, directors, owners and employers are expressly released by the ticket holder from any claims arising from such causes.
2. Tickets are issued subject to the rules and regulations of the venue.
3. Please check your tickets, as mistakes cannot always be rectified.
4. Occasionally, events are cancelled or postponed by the promoter, team, performer or venue for a variety of reasons. If the event is cancelled, please contact us for information on receiving a refund from the responsible party. If the event was moved or rescheduled, the venue or promoter may set refund limitations. It is your responsibility to ascertain the date and time of any rearranged event.
5. The venue reserves the right to refuse admission and may on occasion have to conduct security searches to ensure the safety of the patrons.
6. Every effort to admit latecomers will be made at a suitable break in the event, but admission cannot always be guaranteed.
7. We regret that tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded after purchase.
8. Tickets are sold subject to the venue or promoter's right to alter or vary the programme due to events or circumstances beyond its control without being obliged to refund monies or exchange tickets.
9. If this ticket is re-sold or transferred for profit or commercial gain by anyone other than the promoter, venue management, DesignMyNight or one of their authorised sub-agents, it will become voidable and the holder may be
refused entry to or ejected from the venue.
10. The venue may operate a No Smoking Policy.
11. The promoter, venue management and DesignMyNight accept no responsibility for any personal property.
12. The event listed on the purchased ticket is strictly for ticket holders who are over 18 years of age. Identification may be required.