Elling Woman

The Elling Woman is an Iron Age bog body discovered in Denmark in 1938. She was found in the Bjældskovdal bog, near Silkeborg, and dated to approximately 280 BCE. The cause of her death was hanging, with a rope made of skin found around her neck, leaving a visible furrow. She was noted for her finely braided pigtail and a cloak. The Elling Woman was found about 200 feet from the Tollund Man, another famous bog body discovered in the same area. Bog bodies are preserved by the anaerobic, tannin-rich environment of peat bogs, which prevents decay and preserves soft tissues.12