35 Years of Ötzi: A Discovery that Continues to Inspire People Today
On September 19, 1991, Erika and Helmut Simon made a discovery at Tisenjoch Pass, the significance of which no one could have foreseen at the time; the mummified remains of a human were protruding from the ice. Shortly after, it became clear that the man was more than 5,000 years old. Ötzi, the Iceman, became one of the most important archaeological finds of our time.
35 Years of Research – And Always New Questions
Ötzi is unique not just because of his extraordinary preservation. He and his almost completely preserved clothing and equipment have given a direct glimpse into life during the Copper Age.
Even 35 years after he was discovered, research is far from complete. New scientific methods continue to yield fresh insights – not only for archaeology, but also for the fields of medicine, genetics, biology, and other disciplines. Well over 900 researchers from all over the world have now studied the finds, resulting in hundreds of scientific publications.
Seven Million Museum Visits
Public interest in the Iceman remains as strong as ever. Since the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology opened in 1998, more than seven million people have visited the exhibitions and seen Ötzi in person.
To ensure this remains possible in the future, preservation plays a key role. The mummy is kept in his refrigerated cell at -6 °C and approximately 99 percent humidity. This specialized cooling system, which has been in operation since 1998, will be replaced and upgraded to the latest technology in the coming year.
At the same time, our attention is already turning to the coming decades: A larger museum location is planned that will provide more space for the Ötzi collection, for South Tyrol’s archaeology, and for visitors.
Survive in the Stone Age
To celebrate its 35th anniversary, the museum is hosting a “survival day” on September 19th in the vicinity of Percha/Perca. With the guidance of a Stone Age expert, adults will be able to discover what knowledge and skills were necessary for survival thousands of years ago. Registration is open until September 18th, 12am.
Foto:
Reconstrucion of Ötzi the Iceman at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology by Alfons and Adrie Kennis (2011) (c) South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology / foto-dpi.com
