Iceman study guide

Question 1

Important dates

Answer 1

1. September 19, 1991: The Iceman mummy is discovered.
2. 3300 BC/BCE: The Iceman died.
3. 2001: A flint arrowhead was discovered in the Icemans’ back.
4. 2007: Evidence of a blow to the head is discovered.

Question 2

Locations

Answer 2

1. Europe
2. The Alps
3. Border area of Italy and Austria.
4. Bolzano, Italy: Location of the museum where Iceman is kept.
5. Sardinia: Island off the west coast of Italy where people share similar DNA to the Iceman.

Question 3

Physical Appearance

Answer 3

1. Dried like a mummy.
2. Soft tissue shriveled (lips, nose, ears).
3. 5 feet 2 inches tall.
4. Powerfully built
5. Wavy brown hair and beard.
6. Worn teeth
7. Broken ribs.
8. Many wounds to his body including a deep defensive wound on his hand.
9. Assorted tattoos.
10. Approximately 35-40 years of age at the time of his death.

Question 4

Possessions

Answer 4

1. Wood frame backpack.
2. Unfinished 6 foot wooden bow…made of yew wood.
3. Leather quiver full of arrows (2 complete, 12 unfinished).
4. Copper ax with wooden handle.
5. Flint knife/dagger with wooden handle.
6. Nets possibly used to catch birds.
7. Leather pouch containing flint blades, a bone needle, firestarter fungus, and medicinal birch fungus.
8. Grass string/rope.

Question 5

Materials he used

Answer 5

1. Animal skins and furs.
2. Assorted wood and plants.
3. Flint (stone for arrowheads and knife blades).
4. Copper.
5. Leather.
6. Animal bone (needle for sewing/repairing clothes and equipment).
7. Assorted types of fungi

Question 6

Clothing

Answer 6

1. Leather pants.
2. Jacket with goat fur facing out (sewn in a pattern).
   3.Woven grass cape.
3. Bearskin hat.
4. Leather shoes lined with grass for warmth…had laces.

Question 7

Skills

Answer 7

1. Hunting.
2. Growing crops.
3. Tool making.
4. Weapon making.
5. Sewing.
6. Glue making for arrows.
7. Fire starting.
8. Smelting copper.

Question 8

Diet

Answer 8

1. Einkorn wheat: grain
   I2. Ibex: Wild goat

Question 9

Possible reasons to travel

Answer 9

1. Shepherding sheep or goats.
2. Trading.
3. Escaping attackers.

Question 10

Fields of study

Answer 10

1. Archaeology
2. Forensic Science: The science of examining and analyzing crime scenes.
3. Forensic Pathology: The science of examining persons who die suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently.
4. DNA Analysis.
5. Chemistry.
6. Zoology: The study of animals.
7. Botany: The study of plants.
8. Weapons Experts.

Question 11

Scientific/Medical Research

Answer 11

1.Radiology: X-ray, MRI, CT Scan
2. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging- creates detailed images of the organs and tissues in your body).
3. CT Scan (combines a series of x-ray images to create cross-sectional images of the body).
4. Metal analysis of copper ax.
5. Endoscopy (uses small incisions and long thin tools with lights, cameras, and other attachments to probe the inside of the body without destroying it).
5. Radiocarbon dating or Carbon-14 Dating.

Question 12

Dating the Iceman

Answer 12

1. The Iceman’s remains were initially believed to be those of a several decades old mountaineer who likely died in a climbing accident.
2. Based on the flint knife and the copper ax, Dr. Konrad Spindler estimated the Iceman’s remains to be about 4,000 years old.
3. After Carbon-14 dating was completed, it was determined that the Iceman’s remains were approximately 5,300 years old.
4. The Iceman’s age at the time of his death was approximately 35-40 years old based on the worn condition of his teeth.
5. The Iceman likely died in the Autumn due to the fact that significant amounts of pine and alder pollen were found on and inside him.

Question 13

Miscellaneous

Answer 13

1. The Iceman’s body is kept in a special freezer with a constant temperature of 20.3 degrees Fahrenheit and 98% humidity in order to preserve the mummy and prevent decay.
2. The removal of the body from the ice was done without using proper archaeological procedures or sanitary measures.
3. Parts of the Iceman’s body were severely damaged during the removal.
4. Some of the Iceman’s possessions were damaged or ruined during the removal.
5. Blood was discovered on the arrows and on the fur jacket (It did not belong to the Iceman).
6. The body was initially thought to have been discovered in Austria, but after checking the border markers between Italy and Austria, it was discovered that he was actually discovered 300 feet inside of Italy’s border.
7. Erika and Helmut Simon received 150,000 Euro for their discovery of the Iceman’s remains.
8. Helmut Simon died in a climbing accident several years later.
9. The Iceman is called Otzi because he was found in the Otztal Alps.