Who was Otzi?
Otzi the Iceman is Europe's oldest ancient human remains found, dating back more than 5000 years. The natural conditions that preserve bodies are extreme heat or aridity (deserts), acidity (bogs) and extreme cold (mountains). Extreme cold essentially freeze-dries the body, which is what happened with Otzi.
Upon further investigation, it turns out that this ancient human had tattoos. Fifty Seven tattoos were found across Otzi's body, being a pattern of simple dots and lines. These tattoos are still very puzzling and there has been no solution. However these tattoos are in areas prone to injuries and pain, which has lead researchers to believe that these are marks from acupuncture.
Very recent evidence also suggests that he may have been a copper smelter, indicating that Otzi was from the early Copper Age.
Also, he had numerous health problems, such as:
- Worn joints
- Hardened Arteries
- Gallstones
- His gut contained eggs of parasite worms
- Severe amounts arsenic (possibly from smelting and mining)
- Also most likely had Lyme disease
Not only did he have health problems, he also had anatomical abnormalities. Otzi was missing his wisdom teeth and also did not have a 12th pair of ribs.
His last meal was also recorded down as unique, offering historians a better grip of the food available in that time. Through a tests and analysis of Otzi's stomach, 30 different types of pollen were found. There were also grains of and ibex meat. It has been concluded that Otzi had eaten about two hours before he was killed.
Upon further investigation, it turns out that this ancient human had tattoos. Fifty Seven tattoos were found across Otzi's body, being a pattern of simple dots and lines. These tattoos are still very puzzling and there has been no solution. However these tattoos are in areas prone to injuries and pain, which has lead researchers to believe that these are marks from acupuncture.
Very recent evidence also suggests that he may have been a copper smelter, indicating that Otzi was from the early Copper Age.
Also, he had numerous health problems, such as:
- Worn joints
- Hardened Arteries
- Gallstones
- His gut contained eggs of parasite worms
- Severe amounts arsenic (possibly from smelting and mining)
- Also most likely had Lyme disease
Not only did he have health problems, he also had anatomical abnormalities. Otzi was missing his wisdom teeth and also did not have a 12th pair of ribs.
His last meal was also recorded down as unique, offering historians a better grip of the food available in that time. Through a tests and analysis of Otzi's stomach, 30 different types of pollen were found. There were also grains of and ibex meat. It has been concluded that Otzi had eaten about two hours before he was killed.