James M.Deem (1988) <http://www.mummytombs.com/otzi/discovery.htm> (accessed 15th March 2012)
BBC <http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/2001/iceman.shtml> (accessed 16th March 2012)
NewYork Times (2012) <http://archaeology.about.com/od/iterms/qt/iceman.htm> (accessed 17th March 2012)
Iceman Murder Mystery (2011) Produced and Directed by David Burdock and Brand Quilci.
Produced by Nova. (accessed 20th March 2012)
Science News (2000) <http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/333533/title/The_Icemans_last_meal_goat> (accessed 15th March 2012)
(Unknown) (1998) <http://www.laughtergenealogy.com/bin/histprof/misc/iceman.html> (accessed 16th March 2012)
Age of the Sage <http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/archaeology/otzi_iceman_genetic_mapping.html> (accessed 17th March 2012)
Thursday 22 March 2012
What are the issues relating to the custodianship and ownership of the Iceman and the ethics involved in displaying his human remains?
The ownership and custodianship of Ötzi varies, for many reasons.
When Ötzi was found, the real political question between Italy and Austria was, "In which country was Ötzi found?"
This simple, yet consequential question was successfully answered when authorities confirmed Ötzi was actually found on the Italian side, in an attempt to resolve the bitter dispute over the ownership of the Iceman's historically crucial preserved body. However, instead of rectifying all confusions, this answer led to more questionings over the custodianship of Ötzi.
Questions such as "Was Ötzi a pre-Italian man travelling to what is now Austria, or was he a pre-Austrian man travelling to Italy?" arose, and eventually other scientific research and investigation confirmed Ötzi to be an Italian man who was born in an Italian village of Feldthurns (also known as Velturno) which is north of present day Bolzano.
Though these questions had been disputed over then answered and resolved, other questions of the ethical issues involving the dead body of a human still remain.
This video states the DNA based claims by scientists and how Ötzi is actually not related to people from the Alps, where he was originally found, outbreaking more arguments and revision of how we perceive history on human migration,
Ötzi is currently on display in a built facility entrusted to the supervision of the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano. He has special atmospheric conditions available to him to stop the decaying or damaging of his body; with the controlled temperature, humidity and a nitrogen rich atmosphere, and he can be seen through a window by the museum visitors.
Some may argue that it is wrong to display or investigate human remains, especially of ancient bodies. In the scientific world, such examinations are crucial for the advancement of science and the broadening of our knowledge on human civilisation and history, but it is usually the religious or ethical beliefs of some people which cause them to reject the displaying of human remains.
These people reason that the remains of the ancient bodies were once alive and breathing like any other human on earth, and they deserve the same amount of respect after death and should be ritually buried. Nonetheless, various secular-minded people would insist that from the time period in which these bodies belong to, they did not practice Christianity, and were most likely pagan, so religious ethical issues should be ruled out because at the time of their death, religious morals (of the modern day) would not have applied. All the same, this justification leads to the allowed investigation and experiments of human remains.
Moreover, most people tend to think that as long as the body of the dead isn't being mistreated or disrespected, it is alright to conduct scientific research.
With these reasonings, many still argue over this sensitive topic, upholding their personal beliefs on the dead from the past.
What are the changing interpretations about the Iceman's cause of death, from the time of his discovery to the present. Any specific arguments and reasons for the differences in perspectives over time?
Ever since the Iceman had been found, there had been many theories and views coming forth from the scientific, historian and archaeology world with many differentiating suggestions on how Ötzi had died. These contrasting speculations were constantly changing with new evidence and examination found in relation to Ötzi.
Austrian archaeologist Konrad Spindler was fascinated by the position of Iceman's copper axe and his body, and worked out the initial layout of the scene. Spindler was led to believe that Iceman had safely put his belongings around him and this stemmed from the idea that everything was preserved in the exact position as it initially happened thousands of years ago. Eventually Spindler came to the conclusion that Ötzi was unfortunate enough to be caught in a storm and had eventually died from hypothermia.
Soon after as scientists began to look inside the body using X-rays and CAT scans (Computer Assisted Tomography) they found what apparently looked like rib fractures, and with this new found piece of evidence Spindler expanded on another theory which he called his "disaster theory". This theory stated that Ötzi was a shepherd who was possibly returning home when he got into a argument or battle in which he suffered severe injuries to the chest, fracturing his ribs, but had managed to escape. However, as he fled to the mountains and had made it to the top, he was too exhausted and damaged which led to his death through hypothermia and he was then buried in ice.
Through further scientific investigation over time using new technological advances Spindler's theory had been proved invalid.
In June 2001, Ötzi's new custodians - the Italians decided to examine the body again, and a local radiologist noticed an overlooked shadow in the X-ray reports near the shoulder. Further analysis of the density of this shadow (as it was denser than bone) revealed it to be a stone arrowhead embedded in Ötzi's shoulder, which had been neglected despite ten years of intensive study.
This sprouted another theory that perhaps Ötzi was attacked and had managed to escape, but as he ran he was shot in the back with an arrow and had died from bleeding. As this theory was further developed and polished, to account for the evidences pointing to this particular scenario, it was put forward that perhaps the shooter of the arrow had come and took the arrow out himself, leaving the flint arrowhead in Ötzi's shoulder. The arrow had actually pierced through vital arteries resulting in extensive loss of blood and cause of death.
Thus after many years of time, effort and research, a more reliable and probable theory explaining Ötzi's death had emerged, causing another sensation in the scientific and historic world, managing to inspire more research into his actual death and lifestyle.
Austrian archaeologist Konrad Spindler was fascinated by the position of Iceman's copper axe and his body, and worked out the initial layout of the scene. Spindler was led to believe that Iceman had safely put his belongings around him and this stemmed from the idea that everything was preserved in the exact position as it initially happened thousands of years ago. Eventually Spindler came to the conclusion that Ötzi was unfortunate enough to be caught in a storm and had eventually died from hypothermia.
Soon after as scientists began to look inside the body using X-rays and CAT scans (Computer Assisted Tomography) they found what apparently looked like rib fractures, and with this new found piece of evidence Spindler expanded on another theory which he called his "disaster theory". This theory stated that Ötzi was a shepherd who was possibly returning home when he got into a argument or battle in which he suffered severe injuries to the chest, fracturing his ribs, but had managed to escape. However, as he fled to the mountains and had made it to the top, he was too exhausted and damaged which led to his death through hypothermia and he was then buried in ice.
Through further scientific investigation over time using new technological advances Spindler's theory had been proved invalid.
In June 2001, Ötzi's new custodians - the Italians decided to examine the body again, and a local radiologist noticed an overlooked shadow in the X-ray reports near the shoulder. Further analysis of the density of this shadow (as it was denser than bone) revealed it to be a stone arrowhead embedded in Ötzi's shoulder, which had been neglected despite ten years of intensive study.
This sprouted another theory that perhaps Ötzi was attacked and had managed to escape, but as he ran he was shot in the back with an arrow and had died from bleeding. As this theory was further developed and polished, to account for the evidences pointing to this particular scenario, it was put forward that perhaps the shooter of the arrow had come and took the arrow out himself, leaving the flint arrowhead in Ötzi's shoulder. The arrow had actually pierced through vital arteries resulting in extensive loss of blood and cause of death.
Photo courtesy here.
Thus after many years of time, effort and research, a more reliable and probable theory explaining Ötzi's death had emerged, causing another sensation in the scientific and historic world, managing to inspire more research into his actual death and lifestyle.
What items were found with the Iceman, or to do with his body and how do they enhance our knowledge and understanding of the man and the times in which he lived?
Ötzi the Iceman was found with an assortment of artefacts such a copper axe, an animal skin quiver which contained arrow shafts, a small flit knife, a pouch with a flint scraper, yew bow and awl. His clothing included a belt, loincloth, goat-skin leggings (which can be seen here) bear-skin cap (here), outer cape, coat (made of woven grass) and moccasin-type shoes which were manufactured from deer and bear leather. The shoes were found to be filled with moss and grass, most likely for heat insulation and comfort.
The artefacts found with Ötzi prove that stone-age designs could be intricate as the backpack (with it's frame) looks almost modern. Tree fungus was also carried by Ötzi, and it is thought to have medicinal powers by people from that era. These evidence suggests that people belonging to the stone age era were sophisticated and well civilised than previously thought by scholars.
It is also unveiled that they cleverly used maple leaves to carry hot embers to start fires which alludes to the fact that they knew the use of many natural elements around them and Ötzi's culture was well versed in these survivalist type knowledge.
Scientists were shocked to find at least 59 markings on Ötzi's body, which are now known to clearly be tattoos. What is even more surprising is that these markings are on, or near typical acupuncture points for treating leg and back pain, which had led them to re-examine what they believed to have originated in China 2,000 - 3,000 years ago.
Ötzi's copper axe was also of much significance and surprise, as it was earlier thought that humans in Italy had only started learning the art of melting copper about 4,000 BC, hundreds of years after Ötzi's death.
Examination and investigation of the Iceman's intestine revealed hop hornbeam pollen which was incredibly preserved, and this find resulted in the conclusion that it had been consumed soon after the flowering of the plant, just before Ötzi fell to his unfortunate death. The hop hornbeam only flowers between March and June which led to the belief Ötzi had died in spring.
Scientific examination of Ötzi's stomach revealed he had quite a full stomach before death and did not die hungry. Possibly within an hour or two of his death Ötzi had eaten a big meal, mostly of the wild goat called ibex, and new scans demonstrates that the Iceman could have had a rich diet in animal products than researchers had thought. This evidence argues in contrast to the theories based around Ötzi's death, and it is suggested that if Ötzi had been on the run as he feared his death and had any form of enmity with other individuals or tribes, he would not have taken the time to stay and have a healthy full meal.
Also, newer examination of the ribs shows that they hadn't actually been fractured, as previously thought, but rather bent out of shape after death.
The artefacts found with Ötzi prove that stone-age designs could be intricate as the backpack (with it's frame) looks almost modern. Tree fungus was also carried by Ötzi, and it is thought to have medicinal powers by people from that era. These evidence suggests that people belonging to the stone age era were sophisticated and well civilised than previously thought by scholars.
It is also unveiled that they cleverly used maple leaves to carry hot embers to start fires which alludes to the fact that they knew the use of many natural elements around them and Ötzi's culture was well versed in these survivalist type knowledge.
Scientists were shocked to find at least 59 markings on Ötzi's body, which are now known to clearly be tattoos. What is even more surprising is that these markings are on, or near typical acupuncture points for treating leg and back pain, which had led them to re-examine what they believed to have originated in China 2,000 - 3,000 years ago.
Ötzi's copper axe was also of much significance and surprise, as it was earlier thought that humans in Italy had only started learning the art of melting copper about 4,000 BC, hundreds of years after Ötzi's death.
Examination and investigation of the Iceman's intestine revealed hop hornbeam pollen which was incredibly preserved, and this find resulted in the conclusion that it had been consumed soon after the flowering of the plant, just before Ötzi fell to his unfortunate death. The hop hornbeam only flowers between March and June which led to the belief Ötzi had died in spring.
Scientific examination of Ötzi's stomach revealed he had quite a full stomach before death and did not die hungry. Possibly within an hour or two of his death Ötzi had eaten a big meal, mostly of the wild goat called ibex, and new scans demonstrates that the Iceman could have had a rich diet in animal products than researchers had thought. This evidence argues in contrast to the theories based around Ötzi's death, and it is suggested that if Ötzi had been on the run as he feared his death and had any form of enmity with other individuals or tribes, he would not have taken the time to stay and have a healthy full meal.
Also, newer examination of the ribs shows that they hadn't actually been fractured, as previously thought, but rather bent out of shape after death.
When, where and how was the Iceman discovered?
The Iceman was fatefully found in the Ötzal Alps on the 19th of September 1991 by two touring German hikers. When the couple named Helmut and Erika Simon were walking, Helmut surpassed his wife and walked ahead then noticed something. At first it was thought to be trash left behind but after a close inspection they realised they were dealing with a human body. Distressed by their findings, they at first believed they had stumbled upon a mummified body of an unfortunate hiker.
The body was then named Ötzi the Iceman, after the Alps in which he was found momentously. The finding of this body was actually a crucial moment in history as the glaciers were melting around that time and other recent bodies of hapless hikers had been found.
This video here summarises Iceman's discovery in a simple format.
The body was then named Ötzi the Iceman, after the Alps in which he was found momentously. The finding of this body was actually a crucial moment in history as the glaciers were melting around that time and other recent bodies of hapless hikers had been found.
This video here summarises Iceman's discovery in a simple format.
Ötzi the Iceman - preserved ancient body research
Hello, and welcome to my blog! Here you will find my collection of research on the famous Iceman which had caused a prime sensation around the world amongst scientists and historians alike and had forced them to re-think their version of the past.
You will find the following information:
You will find the following information:
- When was he found
- Where was Iceman discovered
- What artefacts were found with him
- What do these artefacts tell us about the time period from which Iceman belongs to
- How did Iceman die
- Who does the body of Otzi belong to
- What ethics are concerned with displaying his remains
The Iceman's exhibition frenzy. *exclusive
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