Old Croghan Man

In 2003, the remarkably well-preserved remains of Old Croghan Man, an Iron Age bog body, were unearthed in an Irish bog near Croghan Hill in County Offaly. Today, these fascinating remains are exhibited at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.

Old Croghan Man was notable for his extraordinary height and well-manicured nails, suggesting that he may have held a high social status. His diet was rich, consisting of wheat, buttermilk, and substantial amounts of meat. However, he also exhibited signs of pleurisy, a painful lung condition.

Experts estimate that he lived and died between 362 BC and 175 BC, meeting his demise in his early twenties. When discovered, a leather band was wrapped around his arm, indicating that he might have been a sacrificial victim, possibly linked to ancient Druidic rituals. His death was violent—a stab wound to the chest, along with defensive wounds, tells a tale of a brutal end. Additionally, deep cuts were found beneath each of his nipples, sparking various theories about their symbolic or ritualistic significance.

Alongside the body, an arm-ring made of waterlogged leather and bronze mounts was discovered. This artifact has since undergone meticulous preservation and is now displayed alongside Old Croghan Man.

Croghan Hill, where he was found, is steeped in Irish mythology. It is a locale of legendary feuds and tales of a beautiful maiden named Ele. The hill was believed to be a mystical site, especially during Samhain—a festival when the fairy mounds were said to reveal all their secrets.