Storms during the winter of 2014 dramatically ripped a tree from the ground revealing the upper skeleton of a man trapped in the tree’s roots. His legs remained buried.

The 900-year-old, medieval skeleton revealed itself under a birch tree in Collooney,County Sligo. The remains are believed to be that off a young male who suffered a violent death. His skeleton shows evidence of cut marks on his ribs and hand, suggesting that he was fleeing an attacker.

As was his death, the manner in which his remains were revealed was violent. The birch tree he was buried beneath was ripped from the earth in 2014. His upper skeleton, including his spine and skull, remained trapped among the roots and were raised into the air. His legs remained in his grave.

 The National Monuments Service commissioned Sligo-Leitrim Archaeological Services (SLAS) to retrieve the badly disturbed remains. They posted amazing images of the disturbed burial (see above and below) on their Facebook page.The lower leg bones of the skeleton remain in the grave, undisturbed. The upper leg bones (femora) were broken when the tree toppled over.