Otzi The Iceman Death or murder?

By the end of class: Able to answer What does Otzi’s remains tell us about daily life in the Mesolithic Era? What is Otzi’s significance to understanding history? Was Otzi murdered or did he die naturally? How are his artifacts a lens into his personal life?

Vocab Archaeology Definition: The scientific study of material remains such as fossils, bones, or relics that reveal information about the human activity of cultures that flourished long ago Context: By studying physical characteristics of a mummy, such as bones and teeth, archaeologists can determine the person's age and gender. Artifact Definition: An object produced or shaped by human craft, especially a tool, weapon, or ornament of archaeological or historical interest Context: Artifacts found with mummies often reveal important cultural clues. Mummify Definition: To make into a mummy by embalming and drying; to cause to shrivel and dry up Context: Bodies may become naturally mummified in frozen, dry climates. Mummy Definition: A body that has been preserved by natural or artificial means Context: The Iceman is a well-known mummy discovered frozen in the Alps.

Who is Otzi? Found in 1991 by hikers Italian Alps Initially believed to be a stranded hiker, but items around him changed that theory The ice and cold temperatures kept in in a mummified state We believe he was murdered based on specific evidence, but first we must understand other evidence……

Artifact analysis As we go through some artifact found about Otzi, take notes and keep specific data at hand Ultimately we will use the data to discover his cause of death BE SPECIFIC AND SO WHAT?

1) Location and Body position

1) Location and Body position The body was found at 11,000 ft in elevation Found in the Otzal Alps (Italy/Austria) face- down

1) Location and Body position

2) Diet Figure 1: these muscles fibers found in Iceman’s belly are either from deer meat or Chamois meat.   Based on the fiber composition, this meat was part of a last meal Otzi had, approximately 8 hours before he died.

2) Diet Figure 2 & 3 demonstrate the breakdown of the grains and fruits in his belly at the time of death: they include herbs, einkorn wheat bran,  

2) Diet Laying around Otzi (archeologist believed he was carrying) grains of einkorn, barley, flax, poppy and sloes (plum-like fruit), and varies berry seeds.

2) Diet The pollen on his body was preserved, and the pollen puts his time of death sometime in the spring Wheat spiklets from Einkorn grain, stuck to the Iceman's clothing. The same material was found in the Iceman’s intestine indicating that he had eaten a hard bread shortly before his death. The plant material came from an agricultural area. Wheat spiklets Hornbeam tree pollen

2) Diet DNA analysis in 2009 shows that Otzi ate Ibex two hours before his death So let’s stop and think: Was Otzi a hunter/gatherer or a farmer?

3) Health Otzi’s intestinal investigation also showed that he had whipworm - an intestinal parasite) CT scans (like x-ray scans) show Otzi had 3 broken ribs Mostly likely from the crushing snow

3) Health One of his fingernails had Beau Lines, which indicate sickness. He was sick about 2 months before his death. Otzi’s breakdown of Tibia and Fibula bones (including his pelvis) indicate long walking trips across mountainous terrain Otzi’s grain heavy diet helped create the cavities found DNA analysis also shows Otzi was lactose intolerant (can’t have milk) Think: What Otzi a health man?

4) Skeleton and Tattoos Otzi had a fracture on the skull Evidence of brain hemorrhaging due to the fracture

4) Skeleton and Tattoos Otzi’s arm was crossed over his body Indicates he was turned over after his death Arrowhead was lodged in his shoulder Would have died of blood loss Evidence it was pulled out

4) Skeleton and Tattoos Otzi had a cut in the palm of his right hand Damaged tendons Possibly holding a blade

4) Skeleton and Tattoos Otzi had 61 tattoos made of fire soot then scratched under the skin. Most of Ötzi’s tattoos are located on parts of his body that must have caused him pain during his lifetime due to degeneration or disease. Question over the tattoos being a form of acupuncture

5) Clothing and shoes Sophisticated Cloak of woven grass A belt Leggings Loincloth of leather from different skins Bearskin cap with a leather chin strap

5) Clothing and shoes Rare at the time, Otzi was also wearing shoes Made of: bearskin soles, deer hide panels, netting made of tree bark. Soft grass around the foot Expected to have been made by someone who made specifically shoes

6) Tools and Equipment Had an axe made of wood and copper High-skilled craftsmanship Probably had high importance in society

6) Tools and Equipment Flint stone knife

Reflection Was Otzi an important man in his society? How do we know? How might we guess that Otzi was going on a long trip? Could Otzi have been predicting a fight? What artifacts tell us if he was? Was Otzi murdered? Why or why not?