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Iceman, also known as Ötzi, is the preserved body of a man dating back around 3,300 BC. Ötzi is an example of the process of natural mummification in which the cold conditions contributed to Ötzi being a well preserved specimen.
The Iceman was discovered in the Ötzal Alps of Austria and Italy on 19 September 1991, the body was discovered by two German tourists, Helmut and Erika Simon, whom were from Nuremburg. The body was discovered at an altitude of 3,210 metres on the eastern side of the Fineilspitze peak. The couple were walking in the area where they found the body of whom they thought had been of a mountaineer who had deceased recently in the location. Ötzi’s body was resting in a stream/flow of meltwater.
Numerous attempts were made to recover the frozen body from its resting place. The day after the discovery of Ötzi’s body, a team of Austrians from the nearby area attempted to recover Ötzi from the ice, using a pneumatic drill and ice axes. This attempt however was unsuccessful due to bad weather hindering the team from the recovery process. An attempt made the next day was also unsuccessful due to the absence of a helicopter for safe transport of the Iceman’s body. Two days after the initial attempt to recover Ötzi’s body from the meltwater, the body was half way through official extraction, with several items accompanying Ötzi being recovered. The following day, the extraction of Ötzi was fully completed through the use of ice picks and ski poles. Items which were found accompanying Iceman’s body were: numerous pieces of leather and hide, string, straps and bunches of hay.
Many scientific tests and examinations have been done on Ötzi, which in turn have revealed vital and key information about Ötzi himself and people of the prehistoric period. Their way of life, diet, clothing and genetics have all been studied and learned about from these tests. Ötzi has been a key element in learning about life prior to modern humanity.