DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN?
Image based on original British Museam aritist impression and AI enhancements
Meet Lindow Man
Although we don't know his real name, Lindow Man is an amazing glimpse into the past! He is a bog body - preserved by the unusual conditions found in bogs like Lindow Moss. Because of the acidity in the moss, his skin, hair and nails were preserved; we even know what he ate as his last meal. Peat cutters discovered his body in 1984 buried deep on Lindow Moss where he had been for nearly 2,000 years.
Scientists believe Lindow Man lived during the Iron Age. He was a young man, about 25, and looking at his fingernails, it seems he wasn't someone who did a lot of hard labour. But here's the mystery: he met a violent end. He had injuries, suggesting he was hit, stabbed, garrotted and then placed face down in the bog. We don't know for sure if it was a fight, a sacrifice, or a punishment, but it's a reminder of the turbulent times he lived in.
Lindow Man's discovery was a big deal. It helped scientists to learn more about Iron Age people like Lindow Man, including his clothes, food, and even what time of year he died (thanks to some mistletoe pollen in his stomach!).
Today, you can visit Lindow Man in the British Museum in London, a preserved reminder of a long-ago time.
Would you like to win £50?
As well as running a number of amazing events at Lindow Moss and the The Guild for Lifelong Learning, we have a fantastic competition for you to bring Lindow Man to life... in words.
We are offering a £50 first prize for winners in three categories:
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Under 13
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13-18 years
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Over 18's
We would like you to imagine who Lindow Man was, what was his daily life like, and what happened before he ended up in the bog. Write a story (up to 1,000 words) bringing him to life. Let your imagination run wild!
Why is Peat so Important?
Imagine a giant, mossy sponge that sucks up carbon dioxide from the air and stores it away for thousands of years. That's basically what UK peat bogs do! These squishy landscapes might seem gloomy and wet, but they're secret climate warriors.
UK peat bogs store a whopping amount of carbon – way more than all the UK's forests combined! This trapped carbon helps fight climate change, but that's not all..... Peat bogs act like giant water filters, keeping our drinking water clean. They also soak up rainwater, preventing floods and keeping rivers from overflowing.
Sadly, many bogs are damaged. When they dry out, the stored carbon escapes back into the air, hurting the environment. There is good news though! Hundreds of people and community groups across the country are working hard to restore these bogs, making them wet and healthy again. This helps lock up carbon, keeps our water clean, and protects us from floods. So, next time you see a picture of a bog, remember – it's a superhero in disguise!
3.2 BILLION tonnes of carbon stored in UK Peat Bogs
Peatland bogs are home to some of the most rare and wonderful plants, such as Sphagnum fallax.
Water voles are one of the many inhabitants of our lovely Lindow Peatbog
Blanket bogs are also known as the UK's rainforests due to the unique animals and plants.
25% of UK drinking water comes directly from peatland.
