Ghosts of Murdered Kings

Gr 9 Up—Teams of archeologists, forensic scientists, and historians attempt to solve the mystery of Ireland's bog mummies. The bodies, preserved in peat bogs since the Western European Iron Age (500 BC-200 AD), bear evidence of grisly deaths, including disembowelment, decapitation, and strangulation. Examination of the mummies reveals signs that they could have been Celtic royalty: a diet high in protein, traces of cosmetics, and a lack of calluses on hands. The episode postulates that the bog mummies were royalty sacrificed to fertility goddesses as a form of punishment. Computer graphics are used to highlight the injuries on the mummies and to show the time line of ancient history. The expert interviews and examples of field research lend credibility to the theory. This should be intriguing viewing for students of history and those who enjoy an ancient murder mystery.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY