Ötzi is a mummified corpse of a man who lived in the Copper Age, around 5,300 years ago. The body was found in 1991 by two hikers in the Ötztal Alps on the border between Austria and Italy. Since then, the mummy has been subject to extensive research and analysis, revealing fascinating insights into the life, diet, and health of the Copper Age man. The article will explore the information about the history of the Otzi man.
Discovery:
On September 19, 1991, two hikers discovered a body protruding from the ice in the Ötztal Alps on the border between Austria and Italy. The discovery was made at an altitude of 3,210 meters, and the hikers initially thought that the body was that of a mountaineer who had recently died. However, when the authorities arrived, they quickly realized that the body was that of a man who had been dead for more than 5,000 years. The body was later named Ötzi after the Ötztal Alps, where it was found.
Physical Characteristics:
Ötzi was approximately 1.6 meters tall and weighed about 50 kilograms. He had brown eyes, long dark hair, and a beard. His age at the time of death was estimated to be around 45 years. Ötzi had several distinctive tattoos on his body, including a cross on his knee and several parallel lines on his lower back.
Diet:
Analysis of Ötzi’s stomach contents and the isotopic composition of his teeth revealed that his diet consisted mainly of meat, particularly red deer and ibex, as well as some grains and vegetables. This suggests that Ötzi was a hunter and gatherer who lived in the mountains and relied on the local fauna and flora for his sustenance.
Health and Medical Conditions:
Analysis of Ötzi’s bones and tissues revealed several medical conditions and injuries. For instance, he had several broken ribs, a wound on his right hand, and a deep cut on his left hand. Ötzi also suffered from several degenerative joint diseases, including osteoarthritis and spondylosis. He had evidence of whipworm and other parasitic infections, as well as gallstones. Ötzi also had the oldest known case of Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks.
Clothing and Equipment:
Ötzi was wearing a well-preserved set of clothing and equipment. Which included a bearskin cap, a goatskin coat, a loincloth, leggings, and shoes made of deer hide. He also had a backpack made of birch bark, which contained several useful items, such as a flint knife, a copper axe, and a quiver of arrows. Ötzi also had a small pouch made of animal hide, which contained several herbs and fungi, including the fungus known as tinder fungus, which was used to start fires.
Death:
The exact cause of Ötzi’s death is still a matter of debate among researchers. However, it is known that he suffered a fatal arrow wound on his left shoulder. Which penetrated his subclavian artery and caused massive bleeding. Ötzi also had a deep cut on his right hand. Which suggests that he was in a fight shortly before he died. Some researchers believe that Ötzi was a victim of a ritual sacrifice. While others argue that he was killed in a personal or tribal conflict.
Conclusion:
The discovery of Ötzi has provided valuable insights into the life, diet, and health of Copper Age man. Ötzi’s well-preserved clothing and equipment have also shed light on the technology and craftsmanship of the time. The mummy is now on display at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy. Where it is a popular attraction.
