Mummipedia Wiki
Windeby II
Human Mummy
Biographical Information
Name(s) Windeby II - Also known as the Windeby Man
Age Unknown
Sex Male
Status
Height
Source
Culture Pre-Roman Europe
Date(s) 380–185 BCE
Site Windeby
Current Location
Location The Landesmuseum, Germany
Catalog #

Windeby II is the name given to a body found in a peat bog near Windeby, Germany, in 1952. The body was found pinned under thick branches, which appeared to have been put there deliberately. Around the body's neck was a ring hazel roots that appear to have been used to strangle him.

Mummification[]

Because of the acidic nature of the peat bog, almost all of Windeby II's skeleton had dissolved. This is common for bodies found in acidic peat bogs; the acidity destroys the bones but preserves the skin and organs. The pressure from the peat bog has flattened the body. The peat turned the hair on the body red.

Studies[]

An X-ray done in the 1950s shows that there are no bones remaining in the upper torso or head of the body.

Additional[]

Windeby II was found 20 days after Windeby I.

Windeby II was found buried with sherds from an urn, but the pieces are in too poor condition to analyze effectively.

The body is stored at The Landesmuseum, Germany but is not on display.

External Links[]

Windeby Man - Wikipedia (in German)

List of Bog Bodies (Germany) - Wikipedia

References[]

1. Gill-Robinson, Heather Catherine (2006). The iron age bog bodies of the Archaeologisches Landesmuseum, Schloss Gottorf, Schleswig, Germany. Manitoba: University of Manitoba. ISBN 978-0-494-12259-4.