Otzi – The Ice Man of the Alps All Photos Taken From: http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/archaeology/otzi_the_iceman.html

The Discovery September 19, 1991 two hikers in the Alps Border of Austria and Italy Wander off of the traditional path….

What they See…. Saw a small head and shoulders sticking out of the ice At first they think it is a doll But…they see a small hole in the back of the head – so they know it is human

Police Get Involved They report the body to the Italian police Italian police think it’s a recent death. Start jackhammering the ice around the body to free it. This destroys much of the clothing on the iceman. Other people try freeing it with poles and axes; causing more damage to the clothing.

In Comes a Scientist Dr. Henn is flown in ~ inspects the body The skin is dry & yellow ~ like a mummy. It’s been preserved in the ice. Glaciers in the Alps melt & reveal the body Shipped to museum to be studied

Along Comes the Archaeologist Body named Otzi (UTT-zee) because he died near a valley named Otzal/Ytei. Dr. Spindler arrived to examine Otzi Determines the body was 4,000 years old The oldest mummy ever found!

What Otzi Looks Like… Age ~ 45 (very old for people of that time) Height ~ 5’2” Although short, very strong Brown curly hair ~ Recently got a haircut. echostains.files.wordpress.com/.../mann_v1.jpg

What Otzi Looked Like… Tattoos on body ~ ankle, lower back, kneecap ~ not for decoration. Teeth ~ showed wear ~ ate grains/breads Last Meal: wheat bread, green herbs or veggies, and meat were found in his colon.

Otzi’s “Outfit” Leather pants Jacket (animal hides) Cape (braided grass) Fur cap Soft shoes stuffed with hay for warmth Small white disk (necklace?)

Information: The position of the body: He was laying on his stomach with his arm bent across his neck.

What He Carried With Him? Pay attention to different objects – were they used for work, offense, defense? Snacks? Illness?

Pictures at the Scene An item that looked like a fat pencil with a tip made from a deer antler. Used for working flint.

Pictures at the Scene Fungi threaded onto a leather strip. Used as medicine.

Pictures at the Scene Flint dagger inside of a woven scabbard.

Pictures at the Scene Needle made from bone. Grass string.

Pictures at the Scene One wooden backpack frame.

Pictures at the Scene One axe with a copper blade.

Pictures at the Scene Arrows.

Pictures at the Scene Leather Tassel with a marble bead.

Stone Disk

The Scene

How Did Otzi Die? The question that haunts archeologists… Use your skills to come up with reasons that support one of the theories… Hypothermia Robbery Died in Battle Assassination You’ll be working with evidence in groups.

What you need to accomplish with your group: 1. Decide background info. – Name, age, gender & location 2. Read over the death scenario that you were assigned. 3. With your group, you need to justify the theory that you did by coming up with evidence to support your claim. (You should have at least 3 reasons why Otzi died this way!) Cite & Explain. 4. You will make a “death certificate” explaining your position.

Death Certificate Example: Make your poster look like this!

Dates: You will have Friday & Monday to work with your group/work on the project. On Tuesday you will turn in your individual write ups and present your group poster.

Poster Criteria Group Member Names When did he live? Cause of Death? Present the 3 best pieces of evidence for your cause of death *You will present your posters to the class tomorrow! (Presentation and participation- 5pts) Total= 20pts for the project!