Koelbjerg Man

The Koelbjerg Man, formerly known as the Koelbjerg Woman is the oldest known bog body and the oldest known human remains discovered in Denmark. Dating to approximately 8050–8000 BCE during the Maglemosian culture, he represents one of the earliest known inhabitants of Scandinavia after the end of the Last Glacial Period. The disarticulated skeleton was discovered during peat cutting near Koelbjerg on the island of Funen in 1941. Initially identified as female on the basis of pelvic anatomy, the remains were widely known as the Koelbjerg Woman for more than 75 years. In 2017, renewed osteological study combined with ancient DNA analysis confirmed that the individual was male, prompting the name change to Koelbjerg Man. Scientific study has shown that Koelbjerg Man was a young adult who stood about 155 to 160 centimetres (5 ft 1 in to 5 ft 3 in) tall and probably spent his life on Funen. His remains have provided important evidence for understanding the biology, mobility and environment of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers in northern Europe.