Otzi cause of death (investigation)

Question 1

List the 5 years when a discovery was made to ice man’s death:

Answer 1

1994
1998
2001
2003
2007

Question 2

What was the theory from 1994?

Answer 2

Prof. Spindler concluded that Ice Man was probably overcome by storm due to inadequate euip and food for long term, causing hypothermia. This is based on his position after laying down to rest because of his broken ribs (X-Rays and CT-scans).
broken ribs may indicate a violent conflict before death led him to run away from his village up the mountain.

Question 3

Theory in 1998?

Answer 3

Reexamination cast doubt on SPindler’s conclusion:

• examin. of intestines reveal presence of hop hornbeam pollen, indicating died in Spring.
• New examin. = ribs not fractured before death but rather after.

Question 4

Theory in 2001?

Answer 4

x-rayed again. FLint arrowhead near shoulder detected. Shot in back with an arrow which he pulled out or taken out by assailant. Frsh as wound not healed.
Weakened by blood loss, therefore couldnt move much.

Question 5

Theory in 2003?

Answer 5

Aus scientists from QLD discovered evidence that ice man was in hand to hand combat before death.

• DNA anlaysis of blood samples from axe, jacket and knife indicate come from 4 separate individuals.
• ” “ of arrowhead found with body showed that he shot 2 of his assailants.
• tests reveal large gashes on right hand and wrist as defensive wounds.
• ice man holding knife as he lay in ice by the relationship with body and knife at site.

Question 6

What was revealed by further research in 2003 of the arrowhead in Ice Man?

Answer 6

it was very similar to ones used by tribes from southern alps of northern italy

Question 7

What was revealed by further research in 2003 of the arrowhead in Ice Man?

Answer 7

it was very similar to ones used by tribes from southern alps of northern italy

Question 8

theory in 2007? (final conclusion)

Answer 8

• using computed tomography, an italian-swiss team found raptured artery near shoulder, cause by the arrowhead previously discovered.
• tissues surrounding lesion had bruising, showing it was a severe lesion which led to his death within a short time.
• bled to death and cardia arrest
• became more likely he was hit close to where he was found as wouldn’t be able to move.