Egtved Girl - National Museum of Denmark

Article By: Dan Hill

2 years ago

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Culture-Bronze Age Culture-Museum

Egtved Girl - National Museum of Denmark

Discovered in 1921, 'Egtved Girl' is the name given to the burial remains of an 18-20 year old girl who died around 1370 BC. It was the acidic soil which was wet from the surrounding marsh-land, that had the unintended consequences of preserving her belongings for nearly 3000 years. Buried in a tree-trunk coffin, along with the remains of a cremated child, her teeth, nails, hair and some brain tissue and skin remain, along with a number of artefacts that give archaeologists incredible insight into a by-gone era. Named after the village of Egtved in south-east Denmark, it was clear that she was very well thought-of by those who buried her. Her hollowed out grave had been lined with cowhide. A comb made from a piece of animal horn was found tied to a woollen belt around her waist. She was found decorated with bronze jewellery including bracelets and an earring. The coffin was shipped to the National Museum in Copenhagen before it was opened. She was found wrapped in an ox-hide. Archaeologists know that she was buried in the summer months because yarrow flowers were also found in the coffin. Also found was a fermented drink - probably beer, honey and berries. Photo Credits: Egtvedpigen at the Danish National Museum. Photo:Tommy Hansen Image from http://www.pdfnet.dk. Photo from the Danish National Museum