Scandinavian Mummies : Interpreting the preservative qualities of Danish Bronze Age Mounds

Abstract: This paper explores/investigates the circumstances around the unusual level of preservation of organic materials within certain mounds in Jutland, Denmark, as well as the scientific benefits of these findings. These mounds contain coffins made from oak-logs and within them mummies of different degree of preservation have been found. Five mounds have been selected to represent the find category: Borum Eshøj, Trindhøj, Storhøj in Egtved, Skrydstrupand Muldbjerg. These five have all become staples in their own right within Scandinavian Bronze Age Archaeology. Within this paper different interpretations of how these oak-log coffins and their contents have remained in their current state of preservation while other similar graves have not will be explored. In addition, different areas of research that have benefited from these findings will be highlighted.