📝 The "Old Croghan Man," a remarkably preserved Iron Age bog body, offers a tangible connection to Ireland's ancient past at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. Discovered in 2003 near Croghan Hill, his remains date back over 2,000 years (362 BC – 175 BC). The unique anaerobic conditions of the peat bog naturally mummified his torso and arms, preserving skin, fingernails, and even his last meal. Evidence, such as his towering height and well-manicured hands, suggests he was a high-status individual.⁠ ⁠ His death, however, was brutal; analysis reveals a violent end, likely a ritual sacrifice. He suffered multiple stab wounds, was decapitated, and his body mutilated, fitting a pattern seen in other bog bodies. Old Croghan Man is a key feature in the museum's "Kingship and Sacrifice" exhibition, providing profound insights into Iron Age society, its ritual practices, and beliefs surrounding sovereignty and offerings to deities in ancient Ireland.⁠ ⁠ _____⁠ ⁠ Image author: Mark Heal...