Academics join walk to celebrate finding of Lindow Man

Three members of Manchester University staff are working with Transition Wilmslow to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the discovery of Lindow Man – the best preserved bog body to be found in Britain

Professor John Handley, from the Faculty of Humanities, and Professors Anthony Jones and Pippa Tyrrell, from the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, will take part in the Lindow Moss Dawn Walk on 2 August across the site where the body was discovered in Wilmslow, Cheshire.

On 1 August 1984, a peat cutter on Lindow Moss found a long thin object on a conveyor belt. Assuming it was a piece of wood, he threw it to the floor. But when the object hit the ground, the peat fell away, revealing the well preserved remains of a human leg.

This turned out to be the remains of Lindow Man, the best preserved bog body to be found in Britain. Manchester Museum held an exhibition of Lindow Man in 2008-9, and has hosted Lindow Man three times since his discovery. He now lies in the British Museum.

Professor Anthony Jones, from the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, said: “He was believed to be about 22 years old when he was violently killed in the 1st century AD and his body placed face downwards in a pool in the Moss.

“We do not know for certain why he was killed; his body was placed in the bog as this was significant to the religious beliefs of the time.

“The aim of the Dawn Walk is to raise awareness of this area of immense archaeological and ecological significance and boost our efforts to restore it for future generations to enjoy.”

Professor John Handley, from the School of Environment and Development in the Faculty of Humanities, who will be leading the walk for Transition Wilmslow, said: “Over the centuries, Lindow Moss has held a special significance for humankind.

“As the British climate deteriorated 2,000 years ago, and with a Roman army at the door, this was a place of propitiation and ritual human sacrifice.

“There is an opportunity here to tell a compelling story which brings together climatic change, landscape history, and the enduring importance of place in the relationship between human kind and nature.”

Tickets for the Dawn Walk are free, but places are limited. Details of the walk and how to register are on the Transition Wilmslow website.

Transition Wilmslow is working to create an alliance of government agencies, voluntary bodies and local interest groups to establish the Lindow Moss partnership to restore the area. If you are interested in getting involved contact us via transitionwilmslow@gmail.com.