Chapter 2 Lesson 2 Iceman of the Alps

Do Now Why are artifacts so important when studying history? Hint: Think about what an archaeologist do. .

Historians are like Detectives Historians use: Written Sources Artifacts Secondary Sources Oral Tradition . Archaeologists are like Detectives Archaeologists study the remains of past cultures Excavate historical sites Discovery, identify and solve these remains They take x-rays to see what is inside an object They test for the age of the artifact

Imagine This: On Thursday, September 19, 1991, two hikers in the Alps made a remarkable discovery. Erika and Helmut Simon had been hiking on the border between Italy and Austria. When they roamed off the traditional path, they discovered a small head and shoulders emerging from the ice. At first, they thought it was doll. But when they noticed a small hole in the back of the neck, they knew it was human. They wondered if this man had just made his way off the path and froze to death in a storm or if someone had suddenly murdered him from behind. What they did not know is that they discovered a body that was 5,300 years old – one of the earliest mummies ever found.

Iceman was found in the Alps Europe’s highest mountain range Snow begins to melt 1991 German hikers Doll’s head? Police unimpressed Jackhammer Thought it was a typical dead hiker Hairdryers Austria and Italy fought over the Iceman

Who was the Iceman? 5,300 year old mummy 25-35 year old man 5’3 – 110 pounds Deerskin jacket Leather shoes Woven grass cape Pack filled with tools Oldest human body ever found

Studying the Iceman Austrian archaeologist Konrad Spindler studied the Iceman Collected tools and clothing Axe made of copper Knife made of chipped stone Manhandling of Iceman did damage to body and artifacts Carbon 14 testing concluded between 5,000-5,300 years old Studying wear on teeth determined between 35-40 years old

The Iceman Today Rests in a high-humidity chamber kept constantly at 21 degrees F Reconstruction of the Iceman’s Face Studied computer images and made plastic skull Mold clay into cheeks and other muscles Added a nose and teeth

Iceman Medical Problems Cool Iceman Facts He has no wisdom teeth Only 11 set of ribs instead of the normal 12 Gap between 2 front teeth Iceman Medical Problems Eight rib fractures Arthritis in the neck, lower back, and hip Heart disease Fractured jaw

Theories of the Iceman Fugitive who had been beaten Hypothermia Leader of a group Killed in ritual sacrifice Farmer or Shepherd Religious Cult Murdered Fell on his own arrow

Working as an Archaeologist You are an archaeologist working with Konrad Spindler. You are studying the Iceman and his belongings that have been uncovered from a glacier in the Alps. Summarize your findings for your colleagues by explaining what you think each of the artifacts reveal about the Iceman. Traces of grain in the melted snow and ice. Small net with wide spaces in the mesh. Knife blades, rope, and hunting arrow. Two small beads of fungus on a leather strap. Amount of wear on the Iceman’s teeth. Result of carbon dating of skin samples.