The Mystery Of Ötzi's Final Resting Place

Ötzi, also known as the Iceman, is the natural mummy of a man who lived between 3350 and 3105 BC. He was discovered in September 1991 in the Ötztal Alps on the border between Austria and Italy. The body was found by two German tourists, Erika and Helmut Simon, at an elevation of 3,210 m on the east ridge of the Fineilspitze in the Ötztal Alps.

The body was initially assumed to be that of a recently deceased mountaineer. However, upon further examination, it was determined that the body was at least a thousand years old, and later, carbon dating confirmed that the body was over five thousand years old.

The discovery of Ötzi's body and artefacts created a media frenzy and generated significant public interest. The circumstances surrounding his death and the remarkable preservation of his body and belongings have been the subject of extensive research and speculation. The debate over Ötzi's nationality and the border dispute between Austria and Italy also added to the intrigue surrounding this ancient find.

Ötzi was found on the Austrian-Italian border

Ötzi, also known as the Iceman, is the natural mummy of a man who lived between 3350 and 3105 BC. He was discovered on 19 September 1991 by two German tourists, Erika and Helmut Simon, at an elevation of 3,210 m (10,530 ft) on the east ridge of the Fineilspitze in the Ötztal Alps on the Austrian-Italian border, near Similaun mountain and the Tisenjoch pass.

The body was initially thought to be that of a recently deceased mountaineer. However, upon further examination, it was determined that the body was at least a thousand years old, and later, with 99% accuracy, that the man had died between 3,300 and 3,100 BC, or approximately five thousand years ago.

The exact location of the body was a subject of debate, as it was found on a glacier that later retracted. The border between North and South Tyrol, drawn in 1919, was defined as the watershed of the rivers Inn and Etsch. However, land surveys in October 1991 proved that the body had been located 92.56 m (101.22 yd) inside Italian territory, which was in line with Italy's original 1919 ownership claim.

The preservation of Ötzi's body and belongings provides a unique insight into Chalcolithic (Copper Age) Europeans. His remains and personal effects are now on exhibit at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy.

He was discovered in 1991

On 19 September 1991, two German tourists, Helmut and Erika Simon, discovered a body protruding from the ice in a gully at an elevation of 3,210 m (10,530 ft) on the east ridge of the Fineilspitze in the Ötztal Alps on the Austrian–Italian border, near Similaun mountain and the Tisenjoch pass. Initially, the Simons believed they had come across the remains of a recently deceased mountaineer.

The Simons reported their find to Markus Pirpamer, the owner of a local mountain cabin, who informed the authorities on both the Austrian and Italian sides. Bad weather delayed the recovery of the body until 23 September. When the Innsbruck-based archaeologist Konrad Spindler saw the copper axe found with the body, he immediately understood that it was not a recent glacier body. He dated the find to be "at least four thousand years old".

The body was extracted on 22 September and salvaged the following day. It was transported to the office of the medical examiner in Innsbruck, together with other objects found nearby. On 24 September, Spindler examined the find, which was later determined to be the remains of a man who lived between 3350 and 3105 BC.

The body was discovered to be that of a 45-year-old man, approximately 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) tall, who weighed about 50 kg (110 lb). He was found with various clothes and accoutrements, including an unlined fur robe stitched together from pieces of ibex, chamois, and deer skin; a woven grass cape and a furry cap; and shoes made of leather and stuffed with grass. He was also equipped with a small copper-bladed axe and a flint dagger, both with wooden handles; 14 arrows made of viburnum and dogwood, two of which had flint points and feathers; a fur arrow quiver and a bow made of yew; a grass net that may have served as a sack; a leather pouch; and a U-shaped wooden frame that apparently served as a backpack.

The cause of death was initially believed to be exposure or exhaustion while crossing the Alps. However, in 2001, X-rays revealed that an arrowhead was lodged in the man's left shoulder, suggesting that he had bled to death after being shot.

Ötzi was nicknamed 'The Iceman'

Ötzi, also known as the Iceman, is the natural mummy of a man who lived between 3350 and 3105 BC. He was found on 19 September 1991 by two German tourists, Erika and Helmut Simon, at an elevation of 3,210 m on the east ridge of the Fineilspitze in the Ötztal Alps on the Austrian-Italian border. The nickname Iceman was given to Ötzi because his body was frozen in ice below the torso when he was discovered.

The Iceman's body was covered in ice shortly after his death, which meant that it had only partially deteriorated. His body was also remarkably well-preserved, allowing scientists to gain an unprecedented view of Chalcolithic (Copper Age) Europeans.

The Iceman's body was found with various items, including a copper axe, a flint-tipped dagger, a fire-starting kit, a quiver containing 14 arrows, and a bow. His clothing included a fur robe stitched together from pieces of ibex, chamois, and deer skin, a woven grass cape, a bearskin cap, and leather shoes stuffed with grass.

The Iceman's cause of death was initially believed to be exposure to cold weather, but an X-ray examination in 2001 revealed an arrowhead lodged in his left shoulder, suggesting that he had bled to death. Further analysis of the wound indicated that the arrow was shot from behind and from a considerable distance.

The discovery of Ötzi, Europe's oldest natural human mummy, has provided valuable insights into the lifestyle, diet, health, and culture of Chalcolithic Europeans. His remains and personal belongings are now exhibited at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy.

He is the oldest natural human mummy in Europe

Ötzi, also known as The Iceman, is the natural mummy of a man who lived between 3350 and 3105 BC. His remains were discovered on 19 September 1991, in the Ötztal Alps on the Austria–Italy border. He is the oldest known natural human mummy in Europe, offering an unprecedented view of Chalcolithic (Copper Age) Europeans.

Ötzi was found by two German tourists, Helmut and Erika Simon, at an elevation of 3,210 m (10,530 ft) on the east ridge of the Fineilspitze in the Ötztal Alps. The Simons initially believed they had come across a recently deceased mountaineer. The body was extracted on 22 September and transported to the office of the medical examiner in Innsbruck, along with other objects found nearby.

On 24 September, archaeologist Konrad Spindler of the University of Innsbruck examined the find, dating it to be "at least four thousand years old" based on the typology of an axe found among the retrieved objects. Tissue samples and other materials were later analysed at several scientific institutions, confirming that the remains belonged to someone who had lived between 3359 and 3105 BC, or around 5,000 years ago.

Ötzi's 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. The mummy has been housed in a specially devised cold cell in the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano since 1998. The cell simulates glacier conditions, with the mummy lying on precision scales at -6°C and 99% humidity.

The corpse was remarkably well-preserved, having been mummified naturally in glacier ice. The body dehydrated due to the length of time it lay in the snow and ice, losing much of its bodily fluids. Ötzi is unique in that he has been preserved almost entirely. Examinations have revealed a wealth of information about his health, diet, lifestyle, and the circumstances of his death.

For example, analysis of pollen, dust grains, and the isotopic composition of his tooth enamel indicates that Ötzi spent his childhood near the present South Tyrol village of Feldthurns, north of Bolzano, later moving to valleys about 50 kilometres farther north. Examinations have also revealed that Ötzi suffered from tooth decay and was likely lactose intolerant. He had a predisposition for cardiovascular disease and had one of the oldest cases of Lyme disease ever recorded.

Ötzi's last meal, consumed about eight hours before his death, consisted of chamois meat, red deer, herb bread, and roots and fruits. This was determined by analysing the contents of his stomach and intestines, which also revealed two meals prior to this, with the last meal being unleavened bread and a bit of meat.

The cause of Ötzi's death remained uncertain for 10 years after his discovery. It was initially believed that he died of exposure during a winter storm, but in 2001, X-rays revealed an arrowhead lodged in his left shoulder, which severed a blood vessel and severely damaged his arm. Further research found that the arrow's shaft had been removed before death, and close examination of the body found bruises, cuts, and cerebral trauma indicative of a blow to the head. It is now believed that Ötzi bled to death after the arrow shattered the scapula and damaged nerves and blood vessels, with the wound being inflicted from behind and from a considerable distance.

In addition to being the oldest natural human mummy in Europe, Ötzi is also remarkable for the clothing and equipment found with him, providing insight into the gear of a Neolithic traveller. His basic piece of clothing was an unlined fur robe stitched together from pieces of ibex, chamois, and deer skin, along with a woven grass cape and a furry cap. He wore shoes made of leather and stuffed with grass, which have since been reproduced by a Czech academic.

Among his equipment were a small copper-bladed axe and a flint dagger, both with wooden handles; 14 arrows, two of which had flint points and feathers; a fur arrow quiver and a bow made of yew; a grass net that may have served as a sack; a leather pouch; and a U-shaped wooden frame that served as a backpack.

Ötzi was killed by another person

Ötzi, also known as The Iceman, was discovered on September 19, 1991, by two German tourists, Erika and Helmut Simon, at an elevation of 3,210 m (10,530 ft) on the east ridge of the Fineilspitze in the Ötztal Alps on the Austrian–Italian border. Ötzi is Europe's oldest known natural human mummy, offering an unprecedented view of Chalcolithic (Copper Age) Europeans.

The discovery of the arrowhead prompted researchers to theorize that Ötzi died from blood loss, which would have been fatal even with modern medical techniques. It is believed that Ötzi bled to death after the arrow shattered the scapula and damaged nerves and blood vessels before lodging near the lung. DNA analyses taken in 2003 revealed traces of blood from at least four other people on his gear, further supporting the theory that he was killed by another person.

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