A 5,300-Year-Old Murder Mystery: Unraveling the Story of Ötzi the Iceman

In September 1991, a remarkable discovery in the Ötzal Alps on the border of Austria and Italy changed our understanding of prehistoric life. Two hikers stumbled upon a corpse emerging from the ice, initially believed to be a recent climbing accident victim. However, researchers soon realized they were looking at something far more significant: the mummified body of a man who lived approximately 5,300 years ago, now known as Ötzi the Iceman.

The Initial Theory

Early theories suggested that Ötzi was a local shepherd or hunter who succumbed to harsh weather conditions and froze to death. But a shocking revelation would rewrite his story and uncover a prehistoric murder mystery.

Who Was Ötzi?

Thanks to the Alpine cold and sun, Ötzi’s body was preserved through millennia, undergoing cycles of freezing and drying that protected it from decomposition. This preservation provided critical clues for researchers.

Ötzi stood about 160 centimeters tall and weighed around 50 kilograms.
He died between 40 and 50 years old.
He led an active life but had a genetic predisposition for cardiovascular diseases.
His intestines were parasitized by whipworms, and his stomach contained ulcer-causing bacteria.
He lived around 3350 BCE, hundreds of years before Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid were constructed.

The Copper Age

Ötzi lived during the late Neolithic Copper Age, a time when metal extraction and crafting practices were spreading across Eurasia. He carried a copper axe from what is now Tuscany, along with stone arrowheads and knives. His clothing was made of sheep and goat leather, and his diet included cultivated grains, indicating that his people relied on domesticated animals and crops.

Tattoos as Treatment

Researchers found 61 tattoos on Ötzi’s skin using infrared to UV light. These markings corresponded with areas where he likely experienced pain, such as his knees, ankles, and spine. It's believed that these tattoos might have been an early form of acupuncture, intended as a treatment for his ailments.

The Murder Mystery Unfolds

Close examination of Ötzi’s remains revealed the circumstances of his death, turning his story into a captivating prehistoric murder mystery. A CT scan revealed a flint arrowhead lodged in his left shoulder.

Piecing Together Ötzi’s Final Days

A deep cut wound on Ötzi’s hand showed signs of healing, indicating it occurred days before his death. This was likely a defensive wound from an attack with a sharp blade.
Ötzi may have dressed the wound with bog moss, known for its antiseptic properties.
Pollen analysis in his digestive tract indicated it was spring or early summer, and his last three days were hectic, suggesting he was fleeing.

The Final Hours

About 33 hours before his death, Ötzi was at an altitude of around 2,500 meters, near the timber line. Approximately 24 hours later, he descended to at least 1,200 meters, to a zone of warmth-loving trees. In his final hours, he reached an altitude of around 3,000 meters. His last meal included dried wild ibex, roe deer, and grains.

The Fatal Shot

Despite his efforts to escape, Ötzi was shot from behind. The arrow pierced a major artery and embedded itself in his left shoulder, causing extensive blood loss. He likely died soon after, his remains and belongings undisturbed in the glacier for millennia.

The Unsolved Mystery

This 5,300-year-old cold case has provided invaluable insights into the distant past. However, the mystery of who Ötzi was and why he was killed will likely remain unsolved. The tangible evidence has degraded and been carried away, lost to snow drifts long ago. While we may never know the full story, Ötzi the Iceman continues to fascinate and educate us about life in the Copper Age.