Strontium isotope investigations of the Haraldskær Woman – a complex record of various tissues

Bog bodies form a unique group of archaeological human remains which offer unparalleled insight into the past. Unlike most ancient human remains, bog bodies have preserved their skin and other soft tissues through natural tanning processes in the bogs. We present the first comprehensive strontium isotope investigation of the Haraldskær Woman and her garments, dated to the Scandinavian Pre-Roman Iron Age (500-1 BC). Our interdisciplinary research applies new advances in strontium isotope tracing protocols enabling us to go a step further in unravelling the life of bog people. Our study reveals long distance travel of the Haraldskær Woman shortly before her death, leading to new speculations on to why her body ended in the bog.