Some day I will go to Aarhus
To see his peat-brown head,
The mild pods of his eye-lids,
His pointed skin cap.
Sunday 22 March 2009
The Tollund Man
I thought you might enjoy seeing some images of the Tollund Man. He dates from the 4th Century BC and was discovered in Denmark in 1950. I think seeing these images might add to your reading of Heaney's poem. And, if you want to see some truly AMAZING photography of bog-preserved bodies (and who wouldn't, right?), go to http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/09/bog-bodies/clark-photography. The first photo, which is of the Tollund Man, is arresting. So are many others.
Some day I will go to Aarhus
To see his peat-brown head,
The mild pods of his eye-lids,
His pointed skin cap.
Some day I will go to Aarhus
To see his peat-brown head,
The mild pods of his eye-lids,
His pointed skin cap.
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Wow, I've seen a lot of naturally occurring mummified remains from very arid locations, but I wasn't aware that bogs had a similar effect. Maybe it's just his pointy cap and small appearance, but he reminds a little bit of Yeats fairies and such. Although, he looks quite sad. Not just his physical shape, but the expression on his face. Perhaps it's just the result of the skin shriveling up as it hardens, but mummies always look sad to me.
ReplyDeleteThe noose might be a little uncomfortable...and I suppose being sacrificed in some kind of ritual killing might make one a bit sad, too.
ReplyDeletewow. that is really interesting. so far i am really enjoying seamus heaney, and those pics do add to that poem. was he actually sacrificed in a ritual then? how do they know that? i definitely like heaney better than kavanagh, although kavanagh had his appeal too.
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