Otzi The Iceman

Otzi The Iceman Otzi, also known as the Iceman, the Man from Hauslabjoch, the Similaun Man, the Tyrolean Iceman, and the Hauslabjoch mummy, is one of the most well preserved natural mummies in recorded history. Otzi was discovered on September 19, 1991, in the Otzal Alps by two German tourists, Helmut and Erika Simon. The nickname Otzi the Iceman originated from the location in which the body was found (Deem 6). Due to the extent of his preservation, scientists and archeologists have been able to learn a great deal about Otzi’s life and death through forensic investigation. Otzi the Iceman is known as a Wet Mummy that mummified naturally in the glacier ice. By definition, a Wet Mummy is a corpse’s face, hair, eyebrows, and skin still

One factor that goes into determining what life may have been like for the Iceman was to analyze the clothing that he wore. For example, Otzi’s coat and leggings were made from sheep fur and his shoes were made from cattle skin. Researchers believe this indicates that Otzi was most likely a herdsman during his time (Conger). Another factor that went into determining what life was like for the Iceman was analyzing his hair. By doing this, scientists found high levels of both arsenic and copper particles. This finding, along with Otzi’s copper ax, which was 99.7% pure copper, led scientists to think that he was associated with copper smelting which is the process of chemically removing the metal copper from its mineral (Fowler). Scientists also examined the dimensions of Otzi’s femur, tibia, and pelvis, and concluded that his lifestyle involved lengthy endeavors over hilly terrain. Since this amount of motility is not a trait of typical Copper Age Europeans, researchers believe that this signifies that Otzi was a high-altitude herdsman

It is believed that the first person who inked their body did so to relieve muscle pain. Scientists believe this is why Otzi had so many tattoos on his body. Through a radiological examination of the Iceman’s bones, a strain activated and age trained degeneration can be seen in places corresponding to the locations of his tattoos. Researchers have concluded that the ink tattoos may be related to what is now known as acupuncture or acupressure. Unlike contemporary tattoos, these tattoos were not made with a needle; they were very small incisions into which crushed charcoal was placed. Basically, back then they were achieved by rubbing charcoal into punctured areas in one’s skin. Although some people believe that tattoos were strictly for embellishments, or art for the body, others will argue and say that they were strictly for pain relief. The tattoos were often in locations on the body that were covered by clothing which implies that they were not for adornment. Otzi had a total of 61 tattoos in various locations on his body (Vidale). According to researchers, the tattoos are arranged in 19 different groups where each group is a set of either vertical or horizontal lines. Otzi’s tattoos were located near is lumbar spine and ribcage, on his wrist, calves, ankles, knees, and hips. This indicates that these areas must have been areas of pain and