The Mysterious Bog People

March 26, 2006 - September 10, 2006

The Mysterious Bog People examines the lives and rituals of people living near the bogs of Northwestern Europe (highlighted area on map below) from the Mesolithic Period almost 12,000 years ago to the end of the 16th century. This exhibit provides a unique “window” into the past, allowing you to come face to face with ancient Europeans. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is the only stop in the Western United States for The Mysterious Bog People exhibition.

Europian Map

Bog People

Daily Life

You will see over 400 remarkably preserved artifacts excavated from bogs across Northern Europe that help convey the rich history and culture of the people who made the bogs an important part of their cultural and spiritual lives. Spanning over 10,000 years in age, the objects include ceremonial pieces, bronze swords, agricultural tools, household items, gold coins, jewelry, textiles, leather shoes, and musical instruments.

The Bog Bodies

Come face-to-face with the Bog People themselves, six bog “mummies” preserved by the unique properties of the bog environment. Some of the bodies show evidence of violent death – evidence of millennia-old practices of ritualistic sacrifice that further demonstrates how bogs were important ritual landscapes.

Red Franz View the remains of a 16-year-old female, dubbed “Yde Girl,” from the Netherlands. Although she perished approximately 2,000 years ago, the woolen cord with which she was strangled is still intact. Whether her death was a killing or part of a ritual is one of the mysteries surrounding the Bog People.

Other famous bog bodies on view include the Weerdinge couple (dating from the late Iron Age or the Roman Era. 700 B.C. – 500 A.D.) discovered in the Netherlands, and Germany’s most famous bog mummy – a horseman called “Red Franz” – who lived more than 1,500 years ago.

Bog Science Investigation (BSI)

Scientific analysis is at the core of The Mysterious Bog People exhibition. The Bog Science Investigation (BSI) area is an interactive “laboratory” where you get to participate. Hone your own forensic techniques by taking part in an investigation of one of four hypothetical bog body cases. By examining simulated bones, skulls, teeth, tools and valuables the way forensic scientists do when analyzing real bog bodies, reach your own conclusions regarding age, gender, diet, status and even the manner of death of these hypothetical bog body mysteries.

BSI Bog Science Investigation BSI

Admission is FREE for members! Become a member today and you can attend our Member Preview Days.

For ticket information, please click here.


Bog-Voyage! Saturday, September 9, 2006 12pm – 5pm Join us for a day of activities as we bid farewell to The Mysterious Bog People before the exhibit leaves for Vienna. This may be your last chance to experience a fascinating exhibit that includes some of the best preserved artifacts and human bodies ever found in the peat bogs of Northwestern Europe. After you tour The Mysterious Bog People exhibit go to: End at the Bog Science Investigation Lab - Do your own analysis using real forensics techniques to solve a Bog Body case. In/ter/act room - Leave your answer to the question “What Do You Think?” and learn more about the exhibit through video in the mini-theater. Grand Foyer on Level One from 3pm to 5pm - Enjoy a live performance by Solo Contrabassist Frederick Charlton as he performs unaccompanied Partitas by Johann Sebastian Bach and other works, under the Dueling Dinos. Grand Foyer - Receive a Museum Gift Bag that includes goodies like a Mysterious Bog People exhibition poster and a piece of real amber. Stop by the NHM Canopy on the South Lawn and take home a refreshing POM Tea compliments of POM Wonderful Support for the Bog-Voyage Day provided by k-Mozart 105.1fm and POM Wonderful

To view more images and hear additional information about the Bog People, click here.

The Mysterious Bog People was organized by the Drents Museum, Assen, The Netherlands, the Niedersachsisches Landesmuseum, Hannover, Germany, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau-Ottawa, Canada and the Glenbow Museum, Calgary, Canada.

Support for the Los Angeles presentation is provided by Farmers Insurance Group. Education and family programs support is provided by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and The Brotman Foundation of California. Promotional support is provided by Edison International.