remains of Ötzi the Iceman in
northern Italy’s Ötztal Alps in 1991,
scientists have speculated about
the events that led up to his
death 5,300 years ago. Ötzi is
“a typical European from earlier
times and is precious for
this reason alone,” anthropologist
Albert Zink tells The
Washington Post. “And it’s
a murder case.” An arrowhead
found in Ötzi’s left
shoulder has been long
suspected as the cause
of his death, but researchers
have now used modern forensics
to unravel the ancient cold case.
The analysis by a German detective
suggests Ötzi was taken by
surprise when he was shot in the
back from a distance and fell face
down in the snow. The 45-yearold
had been resting after a heavy meal of
meat and cereal in the moments before his
death. A defensive injury to his right hand
also points to a recent dispute that may
have lead to the deadly attack. The analysis
also found that Ötzi’s valuable copper axe
was mined with ore from South Tuscany,
and researchers speculate that he may have
traveled to the Alps to trade goods and
become involved in a personal conflict that
ultimately proved fatal.
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