Iron Age mentalities
A lot of thought and consideration went into Grauballe Man’s current display. First of all, it was very important to tell Grauballe Man’s story and explain how he ended up in the bog where he was discovered. Before visitors reach him, they learn about the Iron Age and the meaning and importance of bogs. They are also introduced to a different mind-set and morale, in which animal and human sacrifice were not considered gruesome, but an acceptable way to communicate with the gods. Other sacrifices and offerings are shown and visitors gain a first glimpse of the body looking down through the floor of the artificial ‘bog’.
Meet a prehistoric man
Moving downstairs, they can then meet Grauballe Man, coming face to face with him. The round space in which his case stands is quiet and secluded, so people can be alone with Grauballe Man and reflect on what they see. They can meet this man from the past, who is so much like us. Despite being more than 2000 years old, he is incredibly well-preserved and the story of what happened to him, both in the past and present is of great interest to many people. They want to know everything about his life, his death, his discovery and subsequent investigations. All this information can be gained from interviews with experts on screens on the outside of his space and in a nearby room. Thus, by telling Grauballe Man’s whole story, by placing him in his wider Iron Age context and by displaying him on his own in a quiet and reflective space, we emphasize his humanity. We get the time and space to contemplate on the fat that he was, and still is, a person, just like you and me.