From …org.uk/…/environmental-archaeology-2nd/ (free pdf)
Comment on This is at Jorvik Viking Center.
Asidonhopo@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Is 1200 years long enough it would be sterile? Like, no original bacteria or parasites?
fossilesque@mander.xyz 8 months ago
fossilesque@mander.xyz 8 months ago
Peat is anoxic. It’s great for preservation and you get tonnes of stuff that doesn’t preserve elsewhere. Google “Must Farm, UK”
Enkrod@feddit.de 8 months ago
Well the human gut is anoxic too, so that shouldn’t be a problem for the gut-bacteria in that log and in the bog mummies. I think it way more likely that the sphagnan and the other tannins in peat-bog-water conserved this as well as the bog bodies.
fossilesque@mander.xyz 8 months ago
Enkrod@feddit.de 8 months ago
That is extremely cool and I don’t doubt your expertise in the slightest. Was only commenting about that anoxic conditions alone wouldn’t necessarily preserve the bog mummies, but that the acidic conditions and tannins are likely more important.
fossilesque@mander.xyz 8 months ago
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weariedfae@lemmy.world 7 months ago
Bog bodies are dope as hell.