The Mysterious Bog People
March 26—September 10, 2006
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

What would you do if you absolutely needed to have a wish come true? The premise of The Mysterious Bog People is that the treasures—and people—found in the bogs of northern Europe were sacrifices made to ensure that their wishes came true, wishes for a good harvest, for children, for an end to disease or for many other similar desires. But this primary message gets a little bogged down, lost and diluted by the historical timeline of objects in cases.

The strength of the exhibition rests not so much on the why of the objects and people found in the bogs but on the forensic science that illuminates the how, what and when of the bog findings. Objects such as a piece of a wool cape are intriguing, but more intriguing still is the science behind why the wool has lost its color, while the red hair of a warrior has not lost its color. The bog people themselves look largely like dried and shriveled leather. But forensic science allows the exhibit creators to re-create what these individuals may have looked like in life.

A highlight of the exhibit, for children and adults, is the Bog Science Investigation (BSI) forensic lab at the end in which visitors can try their own hands at being scientists and learning about the past through analysis of bones and other archaeological materials. Playing on the contemporary interest in forensics and the habitual interests in death and mysteries, The Mysterious Bog People presents engaging subject manner in a fun and exploratory manner.

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