DiscoveringOtzi

The Iceman

Introduction Otzi is a well-preserved natural

mummy of a Chalcolithic (Copper Age) man from about 3300 BC.

On September 19, 1991 two German tourists climbing in the Ötztal Alps, near the border between Austria and Italy discovered a frozen body emerging from the glacier.

This frozen body would become known as the Iceman, and be one of the most exciting scientific discovery of its time.

Discovering The Iceman

• Because of its state of preservation, the body was at first thought to be a modern corpse, like several others which had been recently found in the region.

• Before the body was removed from the ice, people were allowed to see it, and some took portions of the clothing and tools as souvenirs.

Mountaineers with Otzi in the OtztalAlps between Austria and Italy in September 1991

Before removal from the ice.

Discovering the Iceman

Lying on its front and frozen in ice below the torso, it was crudely removed from the glacier by the Austrian authorities using a small jackhammer (which punctured the hip of the body) and ice-axes using non-archaeological methods.

The body was then taken to a morgue in Innsbruck, where its true age was subsequently ascertained.

Discovering the Iceman

Damage caused by small jack hammer to Otzi’s hip when authorities attempted to remove his body from the ice.

The Body

Ötzi was approximately 1.65 metres (5 ft 5 in) tall and weighed about 50 kilograms. He was about 45 years of age.

The body has been extensively examined, measured, X-rayed, and dated.

Tissues and intestinal contents have been examined microscopically, as have the items found with the body.

An early X-ray of Otzi

The Body – Stomach Contents

Analysis of Ötzi's intestinal contents showed his last meals (the last one about eight hours before his death), the most recent of red deer meat.

There was also some grain as well as some roots and fruits. The grain was a highly processed wheat bran, quite possibly eaten in the form of bread.

Also, pollen grains of hop-hornbeam were discovered. The pollen was very well preserved, indicating that it had been fresh (a few hours old) at the time of Ötzi's death, which places his death in the spring.

The Body – Health

Ötzi had whipworm, an intestinal parasite.

During CT scans, it was observed that three or four of his right ribs had been squashed when he had been lying face down after death, or where the ice had crushed his body.

His fingernail (only one was found) indicates he was sick three times in the six months before he died.

Whipworm found in Otzi’s intestines.

The Body - Tattoos

Ötzi had approximately 57 carbon tattoos consisting of simple dots and lines on his lower spine, behind his left knee, and on his right ankle.

Using X-rays, it was determined that the Iceman may have had arthritis in these joints. It has been speculated that they may be related to acupuncture.

This map shows the locations of all 19 tattoo clusters.

A cross-shaped tattoo on Ötzi's knee.

Clothes

Ötzi's clothes were sophisticated.

He wore:

• cloak made of woven grass and a coat

• a belt, a pair of leggings

• a loincloth made of leather of different skins.

• He also wore a bearskin cap with a leather chin strap.

• Shoes made of bearskin for the soles, deer hide for the top panels, and a netting made of tree bark. Soft grass went around the foot and in the shoe and functioned like modern socks.

ClothesThe coat, belt, leggings,

and loincloth were constructed of vertical strips of leather sewn together with sinew.

His belt had a pouch sewn to it that contained useful items: a scraper, drill, flint flake, and a dried fungus to be used as tinder.

His shoes were waterproof and wide, designed for walking across snow.

Items found with the Iceman

Unfinished Bow

Axe

Backpack

Ibex bones

Two birch containers

Dagger with scabbard

Retoucheur

Belt pouch and contents

Two pieces of fungi

Tassel with marble bead

A net of grass string

Quiver and arrows

Unfinished Bow, Quiver & Arrows

182cms long bow

Quiver had 2 arrows ready to use and 12 partly completed shafts

Copper axe

Skin binding copper blade to yew handle. Only prehistoric axe ever found intact.

Dagger and scabbard

Ash wood handle bound with animal sinew with flint blade.

Scabbard of grass cord and leather strap.

Retoucheur

Like a stubby pencil. Stag antler set into wooden handle. Used to sharpen flint tools.

Birch fungi

Antibiotic – a travelling medical kit?

Reconstructions of the Iceman

Task outline

You are to watch and study the documentary Iceman Murder Mysteryfrom National Geographic (next slide).

You are to prepare an A3 poster outlining the theories behind The Iceman’s death entitled ‘Otzi the Iceman’.

You will need to conduct further research.

All of your presented work should be based on historical sources that you have studied.

The key words listed below should be included on your poster as well as a wide range of appropriate images.

All of your sources of research should be listed on the back of your poster in a bibliography.

Theories of Otzi’s death

The Shepherd Theory

The Stranger Theory

The Warrior Theory

TaskWatch the documentary 'The Iceman Murder' and take notes on the following key questions:1. Key questions

When did Otzi live?Where did Otzi live and die?Who was Otzi and what did he do?How did Otzi die? Explain all three theoriesGive examples of primary sources of evidence studied

2. Create an A3 poster on the theories of Otzi's death.

The Shepherd TheoryThe Stranger (outsider) TheoryThe Warrior Theory

For each theory: Identify primary sources and explain how each one helped to support the theory of his death Include some pictures/drawings of primary sources

Word list

Otzi

Alps

tattoos

pollen

mummified

spring time

Shoes

trader

teeth

outsider

bow, arrows, copper axe

grass coat

blood loss

5300 years old

farming

shepherd

arrowhead

murder

CT scan

flint knife

Scientists

chieftain/leader

Marking criteria

Criteria A B C D E

Identification of a wide range of primary

sources of evidence

Understanding of the historical theories

Explanation of the link between historical

sources and theory

Appropriate use of a wide range of images

Key questions: answering and explaining

each section

Use of word list and good spelling,

punctuation and grammar

Neatness and overall presentation

Bibliography: acknowledgement of sources of

information

Other video clips:

PBS NOVA – The Iceman Reborn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUEJwKGM1DY

What Ötzi The Iceman Taught Us About Ancient Humans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c49vKSiOSug

"Iceman" Oetzi Holds World's Oldest Blood Cells

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRWOnYm9AEo

Otzi the iceman arrow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoNmUJWNCMw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOYE5-lWNCY

Iceman’s face reconstructed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sFMy2ia7m0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUEJwKGM1DYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c49vKSiOSughttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRWOnYm9AEohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoNmUJWNCMwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOYE5-lWNCYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sFMy2ia7m0

Useful websites:

Otzi Museum: http://www.iceman.it/en/oetzi-the-iceman

Otzi – Iceman of the Alps: http://www.mummytombs.com/index.html

BBC Horizon: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/2001/iceman.shtml

Wired Science: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/08/otzi-ceremony/#

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96tzi

http://www.iceman.it/en/oetzi-the-icemanhttp://www.mummytombs.com/index.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/2001/iceman.shtmlhttp://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/08/otzi-ceremony/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96tzi

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