In “Bog Bodies Uncovered” the author attempts to find out how and why a select number of bog people were killed. The running theory throughout the book is that they were the victims of ritual acts of human sacrifice. Because these bodies are so well preserved (due to the conditions found in the bogs) forensics examination can show the wounds inflicted upon each person including, most of the time, the cause of death. The author also uses ancient Roman texts which describe the age that these people came from; around the Iron Age.

Unfortunately, the book is incredibly repetitive and dry. I also don’t quite agree with the book’s title in regards to “Solving Europe’s Ancient Mystery”. Alehouse-Green only provides one theory and that is of ritual sacrifice. These people could have been killed by a roving band of thieves. Unless of course, random acts of violence are only an occurrence in modern times.

I was really hoping for a more forensic-based study on the bog bodies themselves. Apparently the lack of other grave goods means that there really isn’t much other information to be gleaned other than what their last meal might have been.

Anyway, I did end up finishing it. I’m just not sure that I took anything away from the book that I didn’t previously already know.