Outline the Various Theories Put Forward to Explain the Circumstances Surrounding Lindow Man’s Death. Judging from the Evidence Found, Evaluate Which Theory You Believe to Be More Plausible. Explain Your Answer.

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Essay Question: Outline the various theories put forward to explain the circumstances surrounding Lindow Man’s death. Judging from the evidence found, evaluate which theory you believe to be more plausible. Explain your answer. There are two main theories put forward that explain the circumstances surrounding Lindow Man’s death. The first theory, put forward by Dr Ann Ross and Don Brothwell, argue that Lindow Man is a victim of sacrificial ritual. The second theory, put forward by Robert Connolly and Ronald Hutton, argue that Lindow Man is simply a murder victim. Ross and Brothwell revolve their theory around the idea that Lindow Man’s body shows evidence of “overkill”, meaning there was several unnecessary injuries to his body and suffered a “triple death”. Scientific investigations show that Lindow Man was struck on the head three times with a blunt object, was garrotted, had his throat slit, received a possible stab wound to the chest and was then placed in a watery grave, otherwise known as a bog, and drowned. It is clear that Lindow Man was a significant character in Celtic society, by looking at his well manicured nails, considering his freshly cut beard and the fact that scissors were a luxury at the time, healthy body, and evidence of mistletoe in his stomach; Lindow Man could have been a Druid, or a Celtic King. Radio carbon dating allows scientists to date Lindow Man’s body back to the Roman-Celt war in 43 AD. Ross and Brothwell believe that during a time of desperation, the Celts felt it necessary to sacrifice a significant figure in Celtic society in order to appease the Gods. They believe that Lindow Man was sacrificed simultaneously to three different Gods, Taranis, Esus and Teutates in order to thwart off Roman invasion. Furthermore, remains of burnt griddlecake were found inside Lindow Man’s stomach, an element of the Beltain Festival, except

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