Research into Iron Age bog bodies discovered in the midlands of Ireland has revealed they were elite members of society who may have met violent deaths as part of kingship rituals.
As the bodies discovered in 2003 went on display at the National Museum of Ireland, Eamonn Kelly, the keeper of Irish antiquities, said they were placed along significant boundaries of ancient kingdoms linking them to sovereignty and kingship rituals during the Iron Age.
"The bodies fit in, in that they are also offerings, they are offerings to the territorial gods or goddesses but they may also at a practical level have represented the elimination of perhaps failed candidates for kingship or deposed kings," said Mr Kelly on the two bodies discovered in bogs at Oldcroghan, Co Offaly and Clonycavan, Co Meath.
Research has shown that many of the items discovered, such as kingly regalia, horse trappings and weapons, were connected with the inauguration rituals of kings which can be traced back to the Bronze Age.
"All of the bog bodies were members of the elite, Oldcroghan man had no wear on his hands, had manicured fingernails, Clonycavan man is able to afford expensive hair gel brought in from Spain. So these are members of the elite, they are not slaves, they are not prisoners of war.
"They might be royal hostages who have been killed to enforce the submission of subservient lords," Mr Kelly said at the launch of the exhibition 'Kingship and Sacrifice - An exhibition of bog bodies and related finds'.
More: Daily Mail
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