A 5,300-year-old murder mystery - Albert Zink
TED-Ed・4 minutes read
Ötzi the Iceman, a prehistoric man found in the Ötzal Alps, lived over 5,000 years ago, with tattoos, whipworm parasites, and a copper axe, indicating his lifestyle and diet. His mysterious death was caused by a flint arrowhead resulting in extensive blood loss, shedding light on his last moments fleeing an attacker.
Insights
- Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old individual found in the Ötzal Alps, had a genetic predisposition for cardiovascular diseases, whipworm parasites in his intestines, and ulcer-causing bacteria in his stomach. His preserved body revealed details of his health and lifestyle, providing insights into ancient human conditions.
- Ötzi's demise, depicted as a prehistoric murder mystery, involved being shot from behind with a flint arrowhead, leading to extensive blood loss and death. Pollen in his digestive tract indicated he was fleeing something before his demise, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding his violent end.
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Recent questions
How old is Ötzi the Iceman?
5,300 years old
What was Ötzi the Iceman's diet?
Cultivated grains
How tall was Ötzi the Iceman?
160 cm tall
What caused Ötzi the Iceman's death?
Prehistoric murder mystery
What was Ötzi the Iceman's genetic predisposition?
Cardiovascular diseases
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Summary
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Ötzi: Prehistoric Murder Mystery and Ancient Lifestyle
- Ötzi the Iceman, discovered in 1991 in the Ötzal Alps, lived around 5,300 years ago and died between 40- and 50-years-old. He was about 160 cm tall, weighed 50 kg, and had a genetic predisposition for cardiovascular diseases. His body was preserved by the Alpine cold and sun, revealing whipworm parasites in his intestines and ulcer-causing bacteria in his stomach.
- Ötzi lived during the late Neolithic Copper Age, carrying a copper axe from Tuscany and wearing clothing made of sheep and goat leather. His diet included cultivated grains, indicating reliance on domesticated animals and crops. Researchers found 61 tattoos on his skin, possibly used for pain treatment like acupuncture.
- Ötzi's death was revealed to be a prehistoric murder mystery. A flint arrowhead was found in his left shoulder, with signs of a defensive wound on his hand. Pollen in his digestive tract suggested he was fleeing something in his last days, culminating in being shot from behind, causing extensive blood loss and his eventual death.
