Otzi the Iceman E-Book

oHe is a naturally preserved mummy from the Chalcolithic period or Copper Age oHis nickname is Ötzi oHe lived about 5,300 years ago oHis frozen body was found by two German tourists on 19th September 1991, in the Ötzal mountains between Italy and Austria oThis frozen body was one of the most exciting scientific discoveries of its time







oThe body was so well preserved that it was thought to be a modern corpse oThe Iceman and his possessions were taken to a laboratory where scientists were able to learn more about him oHis clothing, tools and body gave scientists clues about the iceman’s life oScientists used the clues to build a story of the Iceman













oScientists discovered Ötzi lived between 3350 and 3100 B.C. oHe was approximately 1.65 metres tall and weighed about 50 kilograms oHe was around 45 years old oHe died in the Spring or early summer oHe had been sick 3 times in the six months before his death (leukonychia)

oScientists discovered that Ötzi had eaten porridge with venison (deer meat), vegetables and bread around 8 to 12 hours before he died oHe also had whipworm (a parasitic worm) in his intestines oHe died as a result of being shot, in the shoulder, with an arrow oHe also had a cut on his hand and an injury to his head





oÖtzi Iceman’s body is covered with 61 tattoos oThe tattoos were not produced with needles but by means of fine cuts into which charcoal was rubbed oMost of his tattoos are located on parts of his body that must have caused him pain during his lifetime due to injury, disease or old age

oHis tattoos are intended as therapeutic or a way of healing rather than as symbols oAstonishingly, many of the tattooed areas match the skin acupuncture lines that are seen in Asian medicine oBefore Ötzi it was thought that this art of healing originated 3,000 years ago in Asia









oÖtzi’s clothes and tools were very sophisticated o His clothes included a coat, hat, leggings and shoes oHis equipment included a copper axe, bow & arrows, a dagger, a net and dried mushrooms which historians believed he used a form of medicine