4000 Year Old Bog Beetles Article!

[Jess S]

Hope this hasn't already been posted, but a really interesting article popped up in my feed and I wanted to share it.

Two Oak Capricorn (Cerambyx ) Beetles found in ancient wood have been dated and they are nearly 4,000 years old!

I was really struck by the photo of them, the preservation is amazing

Bog beetles finally reveal their remarkable age - BBC News

Two British insects shut away in a museum drawer for over four decades are nearly 4,000 years old.

www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org

 

[RoachCoach]

'well, they're not British'. That is the most British ass statement ever.
Does the bog only preserve them because of low oxygen? I will have to dig but if anyone has a quick link or article it would be appreciated.

 

[scolopendra277]

very cool!

 

[Jess S]

'well, they're not British'. That is the most British ass statement ever.
Does the bog only preserve them because of low oxygen? I will have to dig but if anyone has a quick link or article it would be appreciated.

Low oxygen is one of a few reasons. Here's one article but you'll find loads more about how bog bodies get preserved.

What Makes Bog Bodies Different From Desert Mummies?

What makes peat bogs so perfect at preserving human remains? We look at what's behind these waterlogged areas of decaying plant matter.

science.howstuffworks.com