Chapter 1: Introduction
Ötzi was named after the Ötzal Alps, the region in which his body was discovered. His real name, of course, will always remain a mystery. But scientists have been able to determine some information about his identity, including his age. Bone studies suggest that, when he died, the Iceman was 45.7 years of age.
From the time of his discovery in 1991, scientists have speculated that the Iceman was a hunter. But a recent study suggests that he may have been a shepherd instead.
By studying Ötzi the Iceman’s leg bones, primarily his tibia, or shin bone, and comparing it to the shin bones of 139 other prehistoric men who lived from the Mesolithic age and from the Neolithic age, scientists say that in many respects, his tibia more closely resembles those of European Mesolithic rather than Neolithic males, which may reflect a more mobile lifestyle than was characteristic of most Neolithic males. According to Dr. Ruff, the Iceman evidently went for long walks over extremely hilly terrain and was much more active than his contemporaries as reflected by the appearance of his tibia.
Ruff continued, "He was more like the people who came before" (that is the people from the Mesolithic Age) and suggests that his occupation was "probably that of a high-altitude shepherd."
The findings suggest that Ötzi was most likely born in Italian village of Feldthurns. However, the results also indicate that he lived most of his life in other northern valleys. The scientists deduced this by comparing the minerals in his tooth enamel with those in his bones. They also analyzed bits of mica found in his intestines.
Dr. Wolfgang Müller, from the Research School of Earth Sciences at the Australian National University in Canberra explained: "From the enamel it is possible to reconstruct the composition of the water Ötzi drank and get clues about the earth where his food was grown. As a result we now know Ötzi came from near to where he was found from the Eisack Valley (near Feldthurns). He spent his childhood there. And he spent his adulthood in Lower Vinschgau. Dr. Müller also concluded that Ötzi was not a world traveler and hadn't spent extensive time at higher elevations.
Ötzi was named after the Ötzal Alps, the region in which his body was discovered. His real name, of course, will always remain a mystery. But scientists have been able to determine some information about his identity, including his age. Bone studies suggest that, when he died, the Iceman was 45.7 years of age.
From the time of his discovery in 1991, scientists have speculated that the Iceman was a hunter. But a recent study suggests that he may have been a shepherd instead.
By studying Ötzi the Iceman’s leg bones, primarily his tibia, or shin bone, and comparing it to the shin bones of 139 other prehistoric men who lived from the Mesolithic age and from the Neolithic age, scientists say that in many respects, his tibia more closely resembles those of European Mesolithic rather than Neolithic males, which may reflect a more mobile lifestyle than was characteristic of most Neolithic males. According to Dr. Ruff, the Iceman evidently went for long walks over extremely hilly terrain and was much more active than his contemporaries as reflected by the appearance of his tibia.
Ruff continued, "He was more like the people who came before" (that is the people from the Mesolithic Age) and suggests that his occupation was "probably that of a high-altitude shepherd."
The findings suggest that Ötzi was most likely born in Italian village of Feldthurns. However, the results also indicate that he lived most of his life in other northern valleys. The scientists deduced this by comparing the minerals in his tooth enamel with those in his bones. They also analyzed bits of mica found in his intestines.
Dr. Wolfgang Müller, from the Research School of Earth Sciences at the Australian National University in Canberra explained: "From the enamel it is possible to reconstruct the composition of the water Ötzi drank and get clues about the earth where his food was grown. As a result we now know Ötzi came from near to where he was found from the Eisack Valley (near Feldthurns). He spent his childhood there. And he spent his adulthood in Lower Vinschgau. Dr. Müller also concluded that Ötzi was not a world traveler and hadn't spent extensive time at higher elevations.
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