Українська
русский
Science

Researchers found out details about a bog body from Denmark, which is 5000 years old (photo)

Bylim Olena

Researchers found out details about a bog body from Denmark, which is 5000 years old (photo)
Wittrup man from the swamp

Scientists have uncovered new details about the life and death of "Vittrup Man," a mysterious man who died about 5200 years ago.

The man's remains, consisting of his body parts, were found in a peat bog in Denmark in 1915. Previous studies have shown that he died of multiple blows to the head, according to the journal PLOS ONE.

Thanks to new methods of genetic analysis, scientists were able to:

  • Determine that Vittrup's husband was not a local resident.
  • His genetic code was different from other remains found in the area.
  • Establish that he grew up on the coast of the Scandinavian Peninsula.
  • Find out that in his youth he ate mainly seafood, and later switched to agricultural food.

This suggests that Vittrup Man may have migrated from north to south, perhaps as a trader or a captive.

The remains of a 5000-year-old man who was pulled from a swamp. Source: Stephen Freiheit via Fischer et al., PLoS ONE 2024
The remains of a 5000-year-old man who was pulled from a swamp. Source: Stephen Freiheit via Fischer et al., PLoS ONE 2024

Interesting facts about the "Vittrup Man" that scientists have learned:

  • He was a man aged 20-30.
  • His death was violent – he received 8 blows to the head.
  • He was buried in a swamp, which may have been a ritual act.
  • His DNA is different from other remains found in Denmark, indicating that he was a migrant.
  • Isotopic analysis of his teeth showed that he grew up on the coast of Scandinavia.
  • The change in diet indicates that he moved from a hunter-gatherer to a farmer.

If you want to get the latest news about the war and events in Ukraine, subscribe to our Telegram channel!