Otzi – The Ice Man of the Alps

All Photos Taken From: http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/archaeology/otzi_the_iceman.html

The Discovery

• September 19, 1991 two hikers in the Alps

• Border of Austria and Italy

• Wander off of the traditional path….

What they See….• Saw a small head and shoulders sticking

out of the ice

• At first they think it is a doll

• But…they see a small hole in the back of the head – so they know it is human

Police Get Involved

• They report the body to the Italian police

• Italian police think it’s a recent death.

• Start jackhammering the ice around the body to free it. This destroys much of the clothing on the iceman.

• Other people try freeing it with poles and axes; causing more damage to the clothing.

In Comes a Scientist

• Dr. Henn is flown in ~ inspects the body

• The skin is dry & yellow ~ like a mummy. It’s been preserved in the ice.

• Glaciers in the Alps melt & reveal the body

• Shipped to museum to be studied

Along Comes the Archaeologist

• Body named Otzi (UTT-zee) because he died near a valley named Otzal/Ytei.

• Dr. Spindler arrived to examine Otzi

• Determines the body was 4,000 years old

• The oldest mummy ever found!

What Otzi Looks Like…

• Age ~ 45 (very old for people of that time)

• Height ~ 5’2”• Although short, very

strong• Brown curly hair ~

Recently got a haircut.

echostains.files.wordpress.com/.../mann_v1.jpg

What Otzi Looked Like…

• Tattoos on body ~ ankle, lower back, kneecap ~ not for decoration.

• Teeth ~ showed wear ~ ate grains/breads

• Last Meal: wheat bread, green herbs or veggies, and meat were found in his colon.

Otzi’s “Outfit”

• Leather pants

• Jacket (animal hides)

• Cape (braided grass)

• Fur cap

• Soft shoes stuffed with hay for warmth

• Small white disk (necklace?)

Information: The position of the body: He was laying on his stomach with his arm bent across his neck.

What He Carried With Him?

Pay attention to different objects – were they used for work, offense, defense?

• Snacks? Illness?

Pictures at the Scene

An item that looked like a fat pencil with a tip made from a deer antler. Used for working flint.

Pictures at the Scene

Fungi threaded onto a leather strip. Used as medicine.

Pictures at the Scene

Flint dagger inside of a woven scabbard.

Pictures at the Scene

Needle made from bone.

Grass string.

Pictures at the Scene

One wooden backpack frame.

Pictures at the Scene

One axe with a copper blade.

Pictures at the Scene

Arrows.

Pictures at the Scene

Leather Tassel with a marble bead.

Stone Disk

The Scene

How Did Otzi Die?

• The question that haunts archeologists…• Use your skills to come up with reasons

that support one of the theories…– Hypothermia– Robbery– Died in Battle– Assassination

• You’ll be working with evidence in groups.

What you need to accomplish with your group:

• 1. Decide background info. – Name, age, gender & location

• 2. Read over the death scenario that you were assigned.

• 3. With your group, you need to justify the theory that you did by coming up with evidence to support your claim. (You should have at least 3 reasons why Otzi died this way!) Cite & Explain.

• 4. You will make a “death certificate” explaining your position.

Death Certificate Example:

Make your poster look like this!

Dates:

• You will have Friday & Monday to work with your group/work on the project.

• On Tuesday you will turn in your individual write ups and present your group poster.

Poster Criteria1.Group Member Names2.When did he live?3.Cause of Death? 4.Present the 3 best pieces of evidence for

your cause of death

• *You will present your posters to the class tomorrow! (Presentation and participation- 5pts)

• Total= 20pts for the project!