Bellaghy Bog Body: Ancient Human Remains Dating Back 2,000 Years

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has recovered ancient human remains dating back more than 2,000 years. Archaeologists were alerted to the bones on Bellaghy peatland in County Londonderry in October 2023. The remains are believed to be those of a teenage boy. The PSNI described it as a "unique archaeological discovery for Northern Ireland." Carbon dating estimates the remains to be between 2,000 and 2,500 years old. Excavations uncovered various bones belonging to the same individual, including a lower leg, arm, fingers, femur, and breastbone. A post mortem determined that the person was likely a male between 13 and 17 years old at the time of death. The body is remarkably well-preserved, with intact bone and partial skin. The cause of death is still unknown. The head is missing, and it is unclear if it was removed before or after death. The remains were radiocarbon-dated at Queen's University Belfast. The discovery was made at a bogland location that holds significance for its Iron Age and landscape context. The location would also have been of great interest to famed poet and playwright Seamus Heaney, who lived nearby and had a fascination with boglands. The remains, found on land owned by the Department of Agriculture, will be transferred to National Museums NI for further examination and preservation. The PSNI's Body Recovery Team has handled numerous investigations related to human remains, including cases of missing persons.