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Examine the Iceman

In 1991 the frozen body of a man who lived 5,300 years ago emerged from a melting glacier in the Alps.

0 659 453 659 1920691 13260 Cut on hand This cut, which already had begun to close and heal, is believed to have occurred a day or two before the Iceman was fatally wounded. With the discovery of the wound, scientists now believe the Iceman may have injured his wrist in a fight, then fled to the mountains. 10 10 1 Cut on Hand 0 0 10 Verdana 16777215 20 0 20 0 false 34 148 8 -8 1920691 13260 Wound on back Only a few years ago did scientists find this quarter-size piece of arrowhead lodged beneath Ötzi's left shoulder blade. The arrowhead, probably made of flint, created a half-inch gash in the left subclavian artery, which is used to carry fresh blood from the pumping chamber of the heart to the left arm. The wound most likely caused uncontrolled bleeding. The shaft of the arrow was not found. Recently, researchers detected head trauma, which in combination with the arrow wound, likely killed him. Read more. 10 10 1 0 0 10 Verdana 16777215 0 0 20 0 true 271 182 -34 -34 1920691 13260 Tattoo on back The 57 tattoos on Ötzi were found at acupuncture points on his back, right knee, calves, and ankles. These points on his body were showing signs of wear from aging and strain. The tattoos are possibly points where Ötzi's nerves were cut to alleviate the pain. Above is a close-up of a tattoo on his back. 10 10 1 Tattoo on back 0 0 10 Verdana 16777215 0 0 0 16777215 false 244 215 7 -8 1920691 13209 Ax The use of a precious metal like copper leads scientists to believe Ötzi was of a higher social status. Found at the scene with the other artifacts, the copper-bladed ax, some archeologists reason, was left behind on purpose because it would have implicated an average villager in a crime. 10 10 1 Ax 0 0 10 Verdana 16777215 0 0 20 0 false 350 98 12 -8 1920691 13260 Wrist tattoo It is unclear if the two lines on the back of Ötzi's wrist are a tattoo or marks left from something, possibly a string, wrapped around his wrist. 10 10 1 Wrist tattoo 0 0 10 Verdana 16777215 20 0 20 0 false 116 13 8 -9 1920691 13260 Bearskin shoes Along with three layers of garments, Ötzi wore sturdy shoes with bearskin soles. The bottom of the soles had criss-crossed leather straps, a form of tread. Above is a close-up of his feet, with one bearskin shoe. Photo: Vienna Report Agency/Sygma/Corbis 10 10 1 Bearskin shoes 0 0 10 Verdana 16777215 20 0 20 0 false 153 594 9 -8 1920691 13209 Snapshot: Iceman Basics NAME: Ötzi, from the Ötztal Alps where he was found LIVED: 5,300 years ago AGE: About 46 years old HEIGHT: Five foot two (1.6 meters) WEIGHT: 110 pounds (50 kilograms) DISCOVERED: September 19, 1991, by two hikers in the mountains between Austria and Italy in the Schnalstal Glacier. He was missing his hair, fingernails and toenails, and an outer layer of skin. Everything else was intact. CURRENT LOCATION: The South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy. 10 10 1 Snapshot: Iceman Basics 0 0 10 Verdana 16777215 0 0 20 0 false 164 522 12 -9 1920691 13209 Quiver Twelve unfinished arrows, seen here in a deerskin quiver, were found in Ötzi's gear. An incomplete longbow, made of a long stalk of yew, was also in his possession. These finds suggest Ötzi packed in a hurry, possibly to escape enemies. 10 10 1 Quiver 0 0 10 Verdana 16777215 0 0 20 0 false 352 182 8 -8 1920691 13209 Bearskin cap Ötzi's bearskin cap looks quite modern compared with his other accoutrements. Leather chinstraps were used to hold it in place. Photo: South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology 10 10 1 Bearskin cap 0 0 10 Verdana 16777215 0 0 20 0 false 352 309 9 -8 1920691 13209 Dagger Part of his Stone Age traveling kit, this five-inch flint-tipped dagger was used for hunting. Blood samples show the dagger was used on domestic and wild animals. 10 10 1 Dagger 0 0 10 Verdana 16777215 0 0 20 0 false 353 416 11 -8 1920691 13209 Cape The grass cloak, above, was found next to Ötzi’s body. The woven grass matting would have been worn over his shoulders during his climb to keep moisture out and protect the leather garments he wore underneath. He removed the cloak before being fatally wounded. 10 10 1 Cape 0 0 10 Verdana 16777215 0 0 20 0 false 350 515 11 -8 1920691 13209 Fire-starting kit Ötzi’s bag was filled with necessities like a fire-starting kit that contained embers wrapped in maple leaves and flint. 10 10 1 Fire-starting kit 0 0 10 Verdana 16777215 0 0 20 0 false 352 618 10 -9 1920691 13209 Credits Photos: Kenneth Garrett, except where noted Captions: Denise McDermott, Carolyn Fox Producer: Paul Heltzel Photo editor: Laura Lakeway Research: Marisa Larson Legends writer: Ann Williams Styling: David Brindley Story editor: Jamie Shreeve 10 10 1 0 0 10 Verdana 16777215 0 0 20 0 false 390 648 18 -7