An exhibition entitled "Kingship and Sacrifice" centred on findings of the National Museum of Ireland's Bog Bodies Research Project is to open in the National Museum of Ireland, Archaeology and History (Kildare Street) in May 2006.

Following the discovery of two Iron Age bog bodies at Oldcroghan, Co. Offaly and Clonycavan, Co. Meath, the Bog Bodies Research Project was established in 2003 to examine scientifically and document the human remains in question, using a multi-disciplinary team of international specialists. Some thirty-five specialists, of whom many had vast experience in the field of bog body research, worked in conjunction with staff from the Irish Antiquities Division and Conservation Department of the National Museum of Ireland. A wide variety of analyses were carried out including CT and MRI scanning, palaeodietary analysis, fingerprinting, histological and pathological analysis.

The exhibition will give a general overview of the analyses and their significance. In addition to placing the finds in a broader European context, it will also feature other bog bodies from the National Museum of Ireland collections and their archaeological significance will be presented and explored throughout. The exhibition will present the results of this research project to members of the public and enable them to come literally face to face with their ancient ancestors.

The exhibition will also highlight a radical new theory based on the observation that the bog bodies were placed on significant boundaries that indicates their association with sovereignty and kingship rituals during the Iron Age. Research has also indicated that there is other related material connected with inauguration rituals of kings and that these rituals can be traced back into the Bronze Age. Many of these objects, such kingly regalia, horse trappings, weapons, feasting utensils, textiles and boundary markers will form an integral part of the forthcoming exhibition.