The discovery of 2,000 year old human remains at Lindow Peat Bog (Cheshire, England) more than 20 years ago sent shock waves through the Wilmslow community and sparked a murder hunt. A year later archaeologists swarmed to the peat farm to examine the relics of an Iron Age man whose well preserved body lay buried there for centuries.
Lindow man, as he later became known, went on to become a national treasure at the British Museum.
     And for the past 20 years historians, archaeologists and mystics have all had their say on the gruesome discovery. Now, it is time for the public of Wilmslow to pitch in with their our own thoughts and reflections about their infamous son. As Lindow Man returns to Manchester Museum for the third time curators want to hear the views of local people about the find, where they were and how they remember the story unfolding.
     A spokesman eagerly awaiting the exhibition due to start in April next year said: "We will not be telling one story but looking at Lindow Man from many different perspectives. We are very interested, for example, in gathering evidence of how Lindow Man is important to the local community. We would be very interested to hear from members of the public who have particular memories about Lindow Man, either because they live near the site where he was found or because they remember coming to see him on display at The Manchester Museum and the impression he made on them or for some other reason."
     Public consultation prior to the exhibition is already underway and should rekindle memories of 1983.
     Research showed Lindow Man, also affectionately known as Lindow Pete, had been a healthy young man who had been murdered with savage ferocity. First, he had been bludgeoned three times, probably with an axe. Then, he was garrotted. The axe blows or the garrot alone would have killed him, but, at the point of death, someone also plunged a long thin blade deep into his throat, probably to rapidly exsanguinate the body before he was symbolically drowned. His body was freeze dried and has since been on display in the British Museum for all to see.
     The temporary exhibition at Manchester Museum will run from April 2008 to March 2009. Anyone who wants to share thoughts and memories of Lindow Pete should make contact before February 10 either by email at museum@manchester.ac.uk or write to Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL

Source: Winslow Express (31 January 2007)