The ice of which Otzi was trapped within began to melt due to a change in temperature in the Alps. Science played a role in the dating of the glacier mummy and his clothing and tools. The body is possibly one of the most well preserved ancient bodies ever discovered.
There are a few theories on the preservation or the mummification process of the body.One theory is that Ötzi and his equipment were covered by a e layer of snow that allowed air to penetrate for years. After many years, the ice covered the body, bringing the preservation or mummification process a form of freeze-drying in an airy, dry atmosphere. Another theory holds that the mummification process occurred at the surface in the meltwater, the corpse only later being covered by snow and ice.
Dendchronology could not be used to date the tools of Otzi as the wooden fragments were too small. Eventually the body was dated, taking minute samples from the bone and tissue of the body's hip so that they could be radiocarbon dated and the result came to be that Otzi the ice man lived around 3300BC.
Scientists have been able to discover the health of Otzi, what he ate and how old he was. His body show clear signs of degeneration ( deterioration of tissue) and his joints are worn, and his arteries are hardened. Otzi has also had injuries during his life time, X-rays show he has had multiple rib fractures on the left side but surprisingly they healed quite well. Unfortunately Otzi had an intestinal parasite known as "Whip worm", they discovered this when they were examining to see what Otzi's diet consisted of and the eggs of the parasite were found.
One of the finger nails were examined and it revealed that the Iceman suffered from a chronic illness . Three of the Beau-Reil lines across the nail indicate that Otzi’s immune system was subjected to periods of severe stress before his death.
Despite all of his injuries, and illnesses he lived to the age of around 45, which is very impressive for a man from the Neolithic age, this could indicate that Otzi may have been an elder in his village or communiy.
There are a few theories on the preservation or the mummification process of the body.One theory is that Ötzi and his equipment were covered by a e layer of snow that allowed air to penetrate for years. After many years, the ice covered the body, bringing the preservation or mummification process a form of freeze-drying in an airy, dry atmosphere. Another theory holds that the mummification process occurred at the surface in the meltwater, the corpse only later being covered by snow and ice.
Dendchronology could not be used to date the tools of Otzi as the wooden fragments were too small. Eventually the body was dated, taking minute samples from the bone and tissue of the body's hip so that they could be radiocarbon dated and the result came to be that Otzi the ice man lived around 3300BC.
Scientists have been able to discover the health of Otzi, what he ate and how old he was. His body show clear signs of degeneration ( deterioration of tissue) and his joints are worn, and his arteries are hardened. Otzi has also had injuries during his life time, X-rays show he has had multiple rib fractures on the left side but surprisingly they healed quite well. Unfortunately Otzi had an intestinal parasite known as "Whip worm", they discovered this when they were examining to see what Otzi's diet consisted of and the eggs of the parasite were found.
One of the finger nails were examined and it revealed that the Iceman suffered from a chronic illness . Three of the Beau-Reil lines across the nail indicate that Otzi’s immune system was subjected to periods of severe stress before his death.
Despite all of his injuries, and illnesses he lived to the age of around 45, which is very impressive for a man from the Neolithic age, this could indicate that Otzi may have been an elder in his village or communiy.