Splitting bodies – A close-up study of a South Swedish bog deposition from the Pre-Roman Iron Age

Abstract A detailed taphonomic study of human and faunal remains recovered in a wetland in Southern Sweden is presented with specific focus on taphonomy, chronology and the possible practices associated with the handling of the remains of humans and animals, especially dogs. The finds from the wetland include remains of seven humans together with 21 dogs and skeletal remains of additionally 21 individuals of red fox, cattle, sheep, horse, red deer, and pig deposited in three pits located in different parts of the bog. Remains of five adults, three of which are female and of different age were identified in two of the pits as well as two children. The adults are represented by selected body parts only while the two children exhibit a more complete anatomical representation. Radiocarbon dating place the depositional activities mainly in the latest Bronze Age and Pre-Roman Iron Age (c.750–250 BCE), however, probably mainly in the latter part of the interval. Separate depositional events occurred in the 7th–8th century and 9th-10th centuries CE. There are taphonomic indications of pre–depositional handling of the bodies. Parts of human bodies were deposited when in some cases the bones were dry and in other cases when soft tissue still was present. The handling of the human body parts may be connected to a “pars pro toto” concept, including a ritual practice of individual bone circulation before deposition. Selective recovery needs to be considered but that or secondary movement of elements after deposition due to water movement cannot explain the patterns observed in the anatomical representation. A minimum of 17 dogs were deposited in the largest pit, probably as almost complete bodies. Two thirds of the recovered dog crania show evidence of healed traumatic injuries showing they were handled in a harsh manner in encounters with the humans. Other animals in the deposition were represented by selected parts of the bodies deposited both in a fresh state, probably as meat cuts, and by isolated elements. As a case study, the composition and character of the finds at Ostra Vemmerlov have to be considered unique in providing intriguing insights into the Latest Bronze Age/Earliest Iron Age wetland depositions, though parallels are found both locally and in a larger area, e.g. present day Denmark and Germany.