The Iceman Gabrielle Alberto Kristle Anyaya Jenica Baron

The Iceman: Otzi Otztal Alps

Who is Otzi? The oldest, most prehistoric and well preserved mummy to be discovered in Europe. Homo tyrolensis Lived during 3300 BCE

When, where and how? The Iceman was discovered on Thursday, September 19, 1991 at approximately 1.30 p.m. German hikers, Helmut and Erika Simons Otztal Alps, Tisenjoch, which lies 3210 metres above sea level, in South Tyrol, Italy. Museum located in Italy known as the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology.

The Mummy Height: 1.54 m Weight: 13 kg

Physical Age: 45 years old Height: 1.60 m Weight: 50 kg Hair: Dark and Wavy Eye Color: Brown

Physical Body covered with over 50 tattoos in groups of lines and crosses Made through fine incisions, then rubbed with charcoal. Located at parts subjected to considerable strain therapeutic measures rather than symbols. Several groups on left and right of the spinal column, left calf, right instep, inner and outer ankle joint, left wrist, back of knee, and beside Achilles tendon and corresponds to skin acupuncture lines.

Anatomical Anomalies Lacked of twelfth pair of ribs Rib fractures were observed on both sides. The right side had healed while the left side were recent. Teeth were worn down. Probably caused from eating stone-ground grain. Left side of his upper jaw shows signs of considerable wear. Probably caused by often used of the teeth as tools for working with wood, bones, leather and sinews.

Health whipworm infestation exposure to smelting of metal ores suffered a chronic illness suffered SEVERE STRESS worn out joints hardened arteries tooth decay multiple fractures on his ribs and nose

Death In July 2001, X-rays and a CT scan revealed that Otzi had an arrowhead lodged in his left shoulder when he died Deep unhealed wound to the hand In August 2007, a craniocerebral trauma along with a skull fracture was found Supported the theory of Otzi dying from blood loss.

Death Spring or early summer, location 12 hours before his death: Vinschgau. This was analyzed through utilizing the 30 different types of pollen found in his stomach and determining their flowering phases. Early bloomers dominated (eg. hops hornbeam flowers from March to June and only grows south of the Alps).

Age of the Find Konrad Spindler, professor of Ancient and Early History at Innsbruck University, dated the whole find for at least 4000 years old. But, he wanted an authenticity proof, they did the C-14 analysis. The Iceman lived between 3350 and 3100 BC.

What is C-14 Analysis? Carbon-14 method is the best known means of dating an organic material. The tissue of every organism absorbs the C14 isotope from the atmosphere. When half of the life of the isotope disappears, the remaining C14 can be measured by a mass spectrometer, and from this it is possible to calculate how long ago the organism lived.

Why did Otzi remain intact? He must have been covered by snow shortly after his death and later by ice. In this way, the body have been protected from predators and decomposition. The deep gully prevented the body and being ground up by the base of the glacier. The find was exposed to damaging sunlight, wind and weather only for a short period of time.

What is extraordinary about the Iceman? Not only about his historical age but also in the way in which he was mummified. Otzi is a so-called the “wet mummy”. He is a natural mummy, unaltered by burial rites or other interventions.

Tools and Clothing Tools Copper Axe (99.7% pure copper) Flint-bladed knife and sheath numerous flint edges, sharpened according to use Quiver of 14 arrows Unfinished yew longbow, 72 in. long berries, birch bark baskets (medicinal and firestarters), mushrooms

Tools and Clothing Primitive snow shoes - consists of an inner and outer part Belt and pouch - to store various flint tools like scraper, drill and flint flake Hide Coat - Hides were tanned using smoke and fat before cross stitching together using fibres of animal sinews Clothing

Where did Otzi lived? Because of the isotopic composition of his remains, he probably spent his childhood in the upper Eisack Valley or lower Puster Valley. He had evidently lived at least ten years in the Vinschgau prior to his death.

Food The findings were that his last mealconsisted of goat, barley, red deer, and other grains.

ADDITIONAL The Iceman has living relatives. Living links to the Iceman have now been revealed by a new DNA study. It revealed that Ötzi has at least 19 genetic relatives living in Austria's Tyrol region.

Otzi in the Museum On January 16, 1998, his belongings were transported to the newly-built South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano The mummy was carefully packed in crushed ice when being transported. The entire first floor is dedicated to the Iceman find.

Otzi in the Museum With regard to public debate on whether the corpse should be buried, a decision was made in favour of exhibiting and conserving it Research on the should continue at the same time being made accessible to public. The mummy itself is laid out in a darkened room and can be viewed through a window.

References: ignificanceofotzitheiceman man-mummy-five-facts/ man-mummy-five-facts/