Otzi the Iceman
Otzi the Iceman
Ötzi the Iceman is the oldest naturally preserved human body ever found. Because of Ötzi, we can touch and almost see into the very distant past. We can imagine the lives led by our human ancestors. The discovery and study of Ötzi enables us to look back through time and glimpse an ancient world.
Place & Circumstances of discovery
Ötzi the Iceman is believed to be the oldest naturally preserved human body ever found in the continent of Europe. Ötzi the Iceman was discovered high in the freezing mountain waters of a glacier at an altitude of 3,210 m above sea level high in the mountains of the Ötztal Alps; near Hauslabjoch on the border between Austria and Italy, in the September of 1991. Ötzi the Iceman was found by two German hikers, Helmut and Erika Simon; who initially believed that Ötzi was a lost mountaineer or a murder victim. He was nicknamed “Ötzi” for the mountains where he was discovered in. What made him extremely remarkable was that he was found with a large collection of objects from everyday life. Ötzi is now kept at the South Tyrol Museum of Archeology in Bolzano, Northern Italy.
Dating of the body
Ötzi the Iceman's body was extraordinarily intact. So were his bow and arrows, dagger, axe and other tools, as well as his clothing which consisted of; a hide coat, grass cloak, leggings, loin cloth and shoes. These items found with the Iceman tell us a good deal of information about the time in which he lived; his life and the life of his people, approximately 5,000 years ago, called the Copper Age.
Although it seems impossible that a corpse could be preserved for more than 5,000 years without any prominent decomposition, Ötzi the Iceman's body proved otherwise. This is proven by using a scientific test called Carbon 14 dating. Through this means of testing scientists can tell the age of almost anything that ever lived; dead animals, dead people, plants, and even cloth, which comes from living matter. The Carbon 14 dating test
Ötzi the Iceman is the oldest naturally preserved human body ever found. Because of Ötzi, we can touch and almost see into the very distant past. We can imagine the lives led by our human ancestors. The discovery and study of Ötzi enables us to look back through time and glimpse an ancient world.
Place & Circumstances of discovery
Ötzi the Iceman is believed to be the oldest naturally preserved human body ever found in the continent of Europe. Ötzi the Iceman was discovered high in the freezing mountain waters of a glacier at an altitude of 3,210 m above sea level high in the mountains of the Ötztal Alps; near Hauslabjoch on the border between Austria and Italy, in the September of 1991. Ötzi the Iceman was found by two German hikers, Helmut and Erika Simon; who initially believed that Ötzi was a lost mountaineer or a murder victim. He was nicknamed “Ötzi” for the mountains where he was discovered in. What made him extremely remarkable was that he was found with a large collection of objects from everyday life. Ötzi is now kept at the South Tyrol Museum of Archeology in Bolzano, Northern Italy.
Dating of the body
Ötzi the Iceman's body was extraordinarily intact. So were his bow and arrows, dagger, axe and other tools, as well as his clothing which consisted of; a hide coat, grass cloak, leggings, loin cloth and shoes. These items found with the Iceman tell us a good deal of information about the time in which he lived; his life and the life of his people, approximately 5,000 years ago, called the Copper Age.
Although it seems impossible that a corpse could be preserved for more than 5,000 years without any prominent decomposition, Ötzi the Iceman's body proved otherwise. This is proven by using a scientific test called Carbon 14 dating. Through this means of testing scientists can tell the age of almost anything that ever lived; dead animals, dead people, plants, and even cloth, which comes from living matter. The Carbon 14 dating test
Bibliography: Books & Articles: · Axelrod, Joan, (2011), ‘The Kids’ Guide to Mummies’, Capstone Press, USA · Constable, Nick, (2000), ‘The World Atlas of Archaeology’ University of Washington ~Although it had some useful information it was too brief for my liking · Fowler, Brenda, (2001), ‘Iceman: Uncovering the Life and Times of a Prehistoric Man found in an Alpine Glacier’ University of Chicago Press ~Interesting background read · Mason, Paul, (2005), ‘Mummies’, Smart Apple Media, USA ~This book was by far my favourite; it was the book I kept referring to throughout the course of this assignment · Murray, Tim, (2007), ‘Milestones in Archaeology: a chronological encyclopaedia’ ABC~CLIO Inc. ~ Some interesting facts and observations. · Krosnar, Katka, (17 July 2005), "Now you can walk in footsteps of 5,000-year-old Iceman – wearing his boots", The Daily Telegraph. Searched on ‘The Daily Telegraph’ website on: 06/03/12 ~This provided excellent information about Ötzi’s shoes.