HIS 8 - Bog Bodies: Grauballe Man

Permanent exhibition of Grauballe Man in Moesgaard Museum in Denmark. Grauballe Man has been described as "one of the most spectacular discoveries from Denmark's prehistory" because it is one of the most exceptionally preserved bog bodies in the world. Upon excavation in 1952, it was moved to the Prehistoric Museum in Aarhus, where it underwent research and conservation. In 1955 the body went on display at the Moesgaard Museum near Aarhus, where it can still be seen today.

The discovery of the well-preserved bog body: “Grauballe Man” was a worldwide sensation when excavated in 1952. Grauballe Man was exhibited to the public, still drenched with bog water and resting on the block of peat only a few days after his discovery. At the time, several scientific investigations were carried out, and Grauballe Man has since been on exhibit at the Moesgaard Museum, Aarhus, Denmark. Recently, new scientific investigations were carried out, revealing much new data. This kind of find, however, also raises many questions regarding conservation efforts, exhibition and the ethics of putting human remains on display.