Milestones
The most important research projects on the Iceman since the museum opened in 1998
2024
Ötzi’s axe blade made of Tuscan copper is not an isolated case
An extensive research project documents the origin of copper from numerous other Late Neolithic axe blades both north and south of the Alps. It reconstructed copper mining sites, smelting, and trade routes in Central Europe from the 5th millennium BC to the Bronze Age.
Article: Artioli, G. / Angelini, I. / Canovaro, C. / Kaufmann, G. / Villa, I.M.: Lead isotopes of prehistoric copper tools define metallurgical phases in Late Neolithic and Eneolithic Italy. in: Scientific Reports | (2024) 14:4323, LINK https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54825-z
2023
The Iceman’s ancestry, skin, & hair
A new DNA study confirms that the Iceman’s genome contains a high percentage of ancestors from modern day Anatolia. It also revealed that he had dark skin and a genetic predisposition for adult-onset diabetes as well as a greater chance for obesity and male pattern baldness.
Article: Wang, K. / Prüfer, K. / Krause-Kyora, B. / Zink, A. / Schiffels, S. / Krause, J.: High-coverage genome of the Tyrolean Iceman reveals unusually high Anatolian farmer ancestry. In: Cell genomics, August 16, 2023, LINK https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xgen.2023.100377
2022
The glacier situation at the site
Hypotheses about the circumstances and climate at the Ötzi site 5,300 years ago.
Article: Pilø, L. / Reitmaier, T. / Nesje, A. / Fischer, A. / Barrett, J.H.: Ötzi, 30 years on: A reappraisal of the depositional and post-depositional history of the find. In: The Holocene (2022), Volume 33, Issue 1, LINK https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683622112613
2021
The Iceman’s health
A summary of medical findings from 30 years of conservation and pathological examinations.
Article: Nerlich, A. / Egarter Vigl, E. / Fleckinger, A. / Tauber, M. / Peschel, O.: Der Mann aus dem Eis. Lebensszenario und Pathologische Befunde aus 30 Jahren Forschung an der Gletschermumie „Ötzi“. In: Der Pathologe, online July 8, 2021, LINK https://DOI.org/10.1007/s00292-21-00961-6
2021
30 years of research about the Iceman
A summary of the findings from 30 years of research on the Iceman.
Article: Kaufmann, G.: 30 Jahre Ötzi-Forschung. In: Der Schlern, 9 (2021) 4-45
2019
Prehistoric Schnalstal Valley
In the Copper Age, Schnalstal and the neighboring valleys were only sporadically visited by hunters. Seasonal transhumance first began in the Copper Age after the Iceman’s time.
Article: Putzer, A.: Schnals - Prähistorische Nutzung eines Hochtales. In: UPIKU:TAUKE. Festschrift für Gerhard Tomedi zum 65. Geburtstag. Universitätsforschungen zur prähistorischen Archäologie, Band 339, Universität Innsbruck (2019) 469-482
2019
Mosses point to Ötzi's escape route
Mosses in the Iceman’s stomach give information about places that he was in contact with prior to his death.
Article: Dickson, J. / Oeggl, K. / Kofler, W. / Hofbauer, W. / Porley, R. / Rothero, G. / Schmidl, A. / Heiss, A.: Seventy-five mosses and liverworts found frozen with the late Neolithic Tyrolean Iceman: Origins, taphonomy and the Iceman’s last journey. In: Plos one, 14-10 (2019). LINK https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0223752
2019
It's a bowstring!
The skillfully twisted cord in Ötzi’s quiver was not made of linden bast, as was previously thought, but of animal sinews and is therefore likely to have been the Iceman’s bowstring.
Article: Junkmanns, J. / Klügl, J. / Schoch, W. / Di Pietro, G. / Hafner, A.: Neolithic and Bronze Age Archery Equipment from Alpine Ice-Patches: A Review on Components, Construction Techniques and Functionality. In: Journal of Neolithic Archaeology (2019), LINK DOI: doi 10.12766/jna.2019.10
2019
Patient Ötzi
Ötzi’s first-aid kit and tattoos indicate an astounding knowledge of medical treatment methods in the Coppe Age.
Article: Zink, A. / Samadelli, M. / Gostner, P. / Piombino-Mascali, D.: Possible evidence for care and treatment in the Tyrolean Iceman. In: International Journal of Paleopathology (2018) doi: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2018.07.006, LINK DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2018.07.006
2019
Healthy gut microbiome
The discovery of the gut microbe Prevotella copri in the Iceman indicates a far more diverse gut microbiome than that found in the western world today.
Article: Tett, A. / Huang, K. / Asnicar, F. / Fehlner-Peach, H. / Pasolli, E. / Karcher, N. / Armanini, F. / Manghi, P. / Bonham, K. / Zolfo, M. / De Filippis, F. / Magnabosco, C. / Bonneau, R. / Lusingu, J. / Amuasi, J. / Reinhard, K. / Rattei, T. / Boulund, F. / Engstrand, L. / Zink, A. / Collado, M. / Littman, D. / Eibach, D. / Ercolini, D. / Rota-Strabelli, O. / Huttenhower, C. / Maixner, F. / Segata, N.: The Prevotella copri Complex Comprises Four Distinct Clades Underrepresented in Westernized Populations. In: Cell Host & Microbe 26-5 (2019), LINK doi: doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2019.08.018
2018
The Icemans's Last Meal
DNA analysis of Ötzi’s stomach contents shows deer and ibex meat with a percentage of fat that is above average, einkorn wheat, and a bit of toxic bracken fern.
Article: Maixner, F. / Turaev, D. / Cazenave-Gassiot, A. / Janko, M. / Krause-Kyora, B. / Hoopmann, M.R. / Kusebauch, U. / Sartain, M. / Guerriero, G. / O’Sullivan, N. / Teasdale, M. / Cipollini, G. / Paladin, A. / Mattiangeli, V. / Samadelli, M. / Tecchiati, U. / Putzer, A. / Palazoglu, M. / Meissen, J. / Lösch, S. / Rausch, Ph. / Baines, J.F. / Kim, B.J. / An, H.J. / Gostner, P. / Egarter-Vigl, E. / Malfertheiner, P. / Keller, A. / Stark, R.W. / Wenk, M. / Bishop, D. / Bradley, D.G. / Fiehn, O. / Engstrand, L. / Moritz, R.L. / Doble, Ph. / Franke, A. / Nebel, A. / Oeggl, K. / Rattei, T. / Grimm, R. / Zink, A.: The Iceman’s Last Meal Consisted of Fat, Wild Meat, and Cereals. In: Current Biology 28, 1-8, July 23 (2018), LINK https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198292
2018
Supply concerns for Flint Tool
Analysis of Ötzi’s flint tools revealed where the Iceman acquired this essential raw material, that he suffered from extreme material shortages, and that he was right-handed.
Article: Wierer, U. / Arrighi, S. / Bertola, S. / Kaufmann, G. / Baumgarten, B. / Pedrotti, A. / Pernter, P. / Pelegrin, J.: The Iceman's lithic toolkit: raw material, technology, typology and use. In: PLOS One June 20 (2018), LINK https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198292
2018
Ötzi potential heart problems
Not only the coronary arteries of the roughly 46-year-old Iceman had calcium deposits.
Article: Pernter, P. / Pedrinolla, B. / Gostner, P.: Das Herz des Mannes aus dem Eis. Ein paleoradiologischer Fall. In: RöFo Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Röntgenstrahlen und der bildgebenden Verfahren 190 (2018) 61-64, LINK DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-119890
2017
The copper from Iceman's axe blade comes from southern Tuscany
Up until this point it was assumed that Ötzi engaged in smelting processes and that his axe blade was cast from local copper.
Article: Artioli, G. / Angelini, I. / Kaufmann, G. / Canovaro, C. / Dal Sasso, G. / Villa, I.M.: Long-distance connections in the Copper Age: New evidence from the Alpine Iceman’s copper axe. In: PLOS One 12(7) (2017) 1-14, LINK https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0179263
2016
Criminal analysis of the Ötzi's murder
The murder of the Iceman over 5,000 years ago may have been the result of a personal conflict days before his death.
Press release 3rd Bolzano Mummy Congress - Ötzi: 25 anni di ricerca del 19.09.2016 LINK su comunicati stampa Museo Archeologico dell’Alto Adige
2016
Identification of mtDNA of nine leather samples from the Iceman’s artifacts
New findings: The quiver is made of deerskin among other things, the loincloth is made of sheepskin, and the laces of one shoe are made of cowhide.
Article: O’Sullivan, N.J. / Teasdale, M.D. / Mattiangeli, V. / Maixner, F. / Pinhasi, R. / Bradley, D.G. / Zink, A.: A whole mitochondria analysis of the Tyrolean Iceman’s leather provides insights into the animal sources of Copper Age clothing. In: Scientific Reports 6 (2016) 31279, LINK doi: 10.1038/srep31279
2016
No maternal offspring
The genetic line of Ötzi’s mother is extinct.
Article: Coia, V. / Cipollini, G. / Anagnostou, P. / Maixner, F. / Battaggia, C. / Brisighelli, F. / Gómez-Carballa, A. / Destro Bisol, G. / Salas, A. / Zink, A.: Whole mitochondrial DNA sequencing in Alpine populations and the genetic history of the Neolithic Tyrolean Iceman. In: Science Report 6, 18932 (2016), LINK doi: 10.1038/srep18932
2016
Did the Iceman suffer from stomach ulcers?
The bacterium Helicobacter pylori was detected in Ötzi’s stomach.
Article: Maixner, F. / Krause-Kyora, B. / Turaev, D. / Herbig, A. / Hoopmann, M.R. / Hallows, J.L. / Kusebauch, U. / Egarter Vigl, E. / Malfertheiner, P. / Megraud, F. / O’Sullivan, N. / Cipollini, G. / Coia, V. / Samadelli, M. / Engstrand, L. / Linz, B. / Moritz, R.L. / Grimm, R. / Krause, J. / Nebel, A. / Moodley, Y. / Rattei, T. / Zink, A.: The 5300-year-old Helicobacter pylori genome of the Iceman. In: Science VOL 351 ISSUE 6269 (2016) 162-165, LINK doi: 10.1126/science.aad2545
2015
The Iceman's tattoos are the oldest in the world
A correction in the C14 dating of a mummified South American Chinchorro man makes Ötzi the bearer of the oldest identifiable tattoos.
Article: Deter-Wolf, A. / Robitaille, B. / Krutak, L. / Gaillot, S.: The world’s oldest tattoos. In: Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 5 (2016) 19-24, online 12.11.2015, LINK https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.11.007
2015
The Iceman has 61 tattoos
The precise number of tattoos on the Iceman’s body could finally be determined using light of different wavelengths. A previously unknown group of lines was discovered on his chest at the level of the lowest right rib.
Article: Samadelli, M. / Melis, M. / Miccolic, M. / Egarter Vigl, E. / Zink, A.R.: Complete mapping of the tattoos of the 5300-year-old Tyrolean Iceman. In: Journal of cultural heritage (2015), LINK DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2014.12.005
2013
Ötzi's Dental Health
Contrary to previous on-site examinations, higher resolution CT scans could detect tooth decay and periodontitis in the Iceman.
Article: Seiler, R. / Spielman, A.I. / Zink, A. / Rühli, F.: Oral pathologies of the Neolithic Iceman, c. 3,300 BC. In: European Journal of Oral Sciences (2013) 1-5, LINK DOI: 10.1111/eos.12037
2012
Was Ötzi a shepherd?
Probably not, because archaeological evidence of inner-alpine transhumance only dates to the Middle Bronze Age.
Article: Putzer, A.: Von Bernstein und Hirtinnen – prähistorische Weidewirtschaft im Schnalstal in Südtirol. In: Archäologisches Korrespondenzblatt Jahrgang 42, Heft 2 (2012), 153-170;
A. Putzer: Königinnen der Almen. Prähistorische Weidewirtschaft im Schnalstal. In: Der Schlern Heft 11, 87 (2013), 4-31
2012
Old Blood
The Iceman’s blood cells are the oldest known in the world.
Article: Janko, M. / Stark, R.W. / Zink, A.: Preservation of 5300 year old blood cells in the Iceman. In: J. R. Soc. Interface. Publ. online 2 May (2012), LINK doi: 10.1098/rsif.2012.0174
2012
Ötzi’s y-chromosomal DNA is sequenced for the first time (paternal lineage)
The Iceman had brown eyes, type O blood, and belonged to haplogroup G2a2b (formerly: G2a4) on his father’s side, which is now very rare in Central Europe. He was lactose intolerant, had a predisposition to cardiovascular disease, and was the first known person to be infected with Lyme disease.
Article: Keller, A. / Graefen, A. / Ball, M. / Matzas, M. / Boisguerin, V. / Maixner, F. / Leidinger, P. / Backes, C. / Khairat, R. / Forster, M. / Stade, B. / Franke, A. / Mayer, J. / Spangler, J. / McLaughlin, S. / Shah, M. / Lee, C. / Harkins, T.T. / Sartori, A. / Moreno-Estrada, A. / Henn, B. / Sikora, M. / Semino, O. / Chiaroni, J. / Rootsi, S. / Myres, N.M. / Cabrera, V.M. / Underhill, P.A. / Bustamante, C.D. / Egarter Vigl, E. / Samadelli, M. / Cipollini, G. / Haas, J. / Katus, H. / O’Connor, B.D. / Carlson, M.R.J. / Meder, B. / Blin, N. / Meese, E. / Pusch, C.M. / Zink, A.: New insights into the Tyrolean Iceman's origin and phenotype as inferred by whole-genome sequencing. In: Nature Communications 3:698, LINK doi: 10.1038/ncomms1701 (2012)
2009
Ötzi died in early summer
At the time of the Iceman’s death hop hornbeam was in bloom, a tree which only grew on the southern side of the Alps back then.
Article: Oeggl, K.: The significance of the Tyrolean Iceman for the Archaeobotany of Central Europe. In: Veget Hist Archaeobot (2009) 18:1-11, LINK https://doi.org/10.1007/S00334-008-0186-2
2008
First mtDNA analysis of a 5,300-year-old Homo sapiens (maternal lineage)
The Iceman belonged to a branch of haplogroup K1 that has not yet been identified in modern European populations. It was named “K1ӧ” after him.
Article: Ermini, L. / Olivieri, C. / Rizzi, E. / Corti, G. / Bonnal, R. / Soares, P. / Luciani, S. / Marota, I. / De Bellis, G. / Richards, M. B. / Rollo, F.: Complete Mitochondrial Genome Sequence of the Tyrolean Iceman. In: Current Biology, Vol. 18 (2008) 1687-93, LINK DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2008.09.028
2007
The last 33 hours of Ötzi's life
Analysis of pollen in the Iceman's digestive tract allowed a timeline to be interpreted that traced the last 33 hours of his life.
Article: Oeggl, K. / Kofler, W. / Schmidl, A. / Dickson, J.H. / Egarter-Vigl, E. / Gaber, O.: The reconstruction of the last itinerary of "Ötzi", the Neolithic Iceman, by pollen analyses from sequentially sampled gut extracts. In: Quaternary Science Reviews 26 (2007) 853-861, LINK DOI:10.1016/j.quascirev.2006.12.007
2007
The Iceman bled to death
Radiological proof shows the arrowhead in his shoulder pierced the subclavicular artery.
Article: Pernter, P. / Gostner, P. / Egarter Vigl, E. / Rühli, F.J.: Radiologic proof for the Iceman`s cause of death (ca. 5300 BP). In: Journal of Archeological Science, 34 (2007) 1784 – 1786, LINK doi:10.1016/j.jas.2006.12.019
2006
Body type: Athletic
Ötzi did a lot of walking and was more of a wanderer than a craftsman.
Article: Ruff, C.B. / Holt, B.M. / Sladek, V. / Berner, M. / Murphy, W.A. jr / Zur Nedden, D. / Seidler, H. / Recheis, W.: Body size, body proportions and mobility in the Tyrolean “Iceman”, Journal of Human Evolution 51-1 (2006) 91-101, LINK DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2006.02.001
2006
Local ancestry on his mother's side
Through his maternal line the Iceman belonged to genetic haplogroup “K”, who is native to the Alps.
Article: Rollo, F.U. / Ermini, L. / Luciani, S. / Marota, I. / Olivieri, C. / Luiselli D.: Fine characterization of the Iceman’s mtDNA Haplogroup. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 130 (2006) 557-564, LINK DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.20384
2003
Close combat a few days before his death
There is a deep, gaping cut never healed on Ötzi's right hand between his thumb and index finger.
Article: Nerlich, A. / Bachmeier, B. / Zink, A. / Thalhammer, S. / Egarter Vigl, E.: Ötzi had a wound on his right hand, The Lancet 362, July 26 (2003), LINK DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13992-X
2003
The Iceman comes from South Tyrol
Ötzi did not immigrate, he instead lived on the southern side of the Alps his entire life.
Article: Müller, W. / Fricke, H. / Halliday, A.N. / McCulloch, M.T. / Wartho, J.A.: Origin and Migration of the Alpine Iceman, Science 302, 31 oct. (2003) 862-866, LINK DOI:10.1126/science.1089837
2002
Ötzi's Eating Habits
During the final days of his life, the Iceman ate meat, grains and vegetables.
Article: Rollo, F.U. / Ubaldi, M. / Ermini, L. / Marota, I.: Ötzi’s last meals: DNA analysis of the intestinal content of the Neolithic glacier mummy from the Alps, PNAS October 1 vol 99 no 99 (2002), LINK DOI: 10.1073/pnas.192184599
2001
The Iceman was murdered
Radiologist Paul Gostner discovers that Ötzi was murdered: an arrowhead is lodged in the mummy's left shoulder.
Article: Egarter Vigl, E. / Gostner, P.: Insight: Report of Radiological-Forensic Findings on the Iceman. In: Journal of Archaeological Science 29 (2002) 323-326, https://doi.org/10.1006/jasc.2002.0824
