When two German tourists discovered a frozen creature in the Ötztal Alps, they could not even imagine that their discovery was more than 5 thousand years old. Initially, they thought that these were the remains of some climber who died in the mountains relatively recently. But as studies have shown, the mummy lay in the ice for 5300 years.
Find history
The mummified corpse was found in September 1991 by tourists from Germany at an altitude of about 3200 m. It has been well preserved to this day due to low temperatures, as it was frozen into the ice. Since the mummy was found in the Ötztal Alps, it was named Ötzi. In Italy, it is called the Similaun or Tyrolean ice man.
Tourists reported the find to the appropriate authorities. In three days, the body was recovered thanks to the archaeological team. Upon examination of the corpse, it was revealed that he had been in this place for a very long time. The ice mummy was taken to the morgue of the Austrian town of Innsbruck, where its approximate age was determined. Scientists have established that human death occurred between 3350 and 3100 BC. e. This is the oldest mummy found in Europe. Its age is about 5300 years.
On the site where Ötzi was discovered, a four-meter memorial sign in the form of a cairn was erected.
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Research
This find was unique. Unlike the mummies found in Egypt and Latin America, which were dried in hot climates, Oetzi was in cold and humid conditions, due to which his skin and organs are well preserved to this day. This allowed scientists to carry out a number of studies. They found that the height of a person who died several millennia ago was 165 cm, and the weight could be within 50 kg. His age at the time of death was also determined - 45-46 years.
Due to the fact that the body of the deceased was covered with ice, the decomposition processes stopped. The weight of the corpse was 38 kg.
The remains of food were found in the organs of the digestive system. The intestines of an ancient man from the Chalcolithic Age (Copper-Stone Age) contained elements of bran, various fruits and roots. There were also remains of muscle fibers, presumably belonging to chamois and deer. This means that before his death, about 8 hours before his death, Ötzi ate meat.
Hair studies have shown that the content of lead and copper is exceeded. Perhaps, during his lifetime, ancient man was engaged in the extraction of these metals.
Also, in the process of research, signs of infection with whipworm, a parasite that causes a serious disease of trichocephalosis, were revealed.
The upper layer of the skin, the epidermis, was absent on the corpse, which indicates natural mummification in permafrost conditions.
Scientists found that Ötzi's third and fourth ribs were crushed. However, these injuries were sustained after his death. They were able to determine this using computed tomography. There is an assumption that during his life Ötzi was a sorcerer or priest. This version is supported by finds: an amulet, which was found near the corpse, and a prehistoric sanctuary, which was also found in the area.
Judging by the pollen of various plants found in the body of the mummy, scientists were able to establish that Ötzi died in late spring - early summer, and they also found out in which region he lived.
With the help of radiography, it was found that the ancient man suffered from a disease common today - arthritis.
Body tattoos
Interestingly, scientists have found more than 50 tattoos on the ice man's body. They looked like dots, various lines and crosses. Nowadays, special needles are used to apply images to the body, but the tattooing technique of those times was somewhat different. Small incisions were made on the skin, and then they were sprinkled with charcoal.
What is the cause of death?
Initially, it was assumed that the found person simply froze to death in the mountains. However, other versions appeared a little later. It was hypothesized that Ötzi was killed, and there is irrefutable evidence for this:
- in the hand of the corpse was a knife;
- there are many injuries on the body, including injuries to the spine, ribs and nose;
- the mummy's right arm was also injured;
- there are signs of frostbite on the leg;
- there are wounds and bruises on all parts of the body.
Also during the research, traces of human blood were found, which belonged to four different people. Three samples of biomaterial were found on a quiver with arrows. One of them belongs to Ötzi, the other two belong to completely different people. The cloak found near the mummy contained the blood of another. Perhaps there was a conflict between these people.
During research conducted in 2001, scientists found an arrowhead stuck in the shoulder. It was impossible to pull it out on its own, since it entered very deeply.
Researchers assume that in the area where the mummy was found, a fight took place between representatives of different tribes over 5 thousand years ago. The wounded Ötzi could get lost in the mountains and, exhausted, die.
There is another suggestion that the ice man died in another place, and his fellow tribesmen left the body to rest on the top.
Author: Lukina Larisa