Ötzi the Iceman is without a doubt a real fantastic
archaeological find!
But just like any prehistoric evidence it will take time to find all the answers; and with Ötzi there is no shortage of questions.
Ötzi’s tattoos seemingly correspond to acupuncture points. But much more evidence will be needed if one is to override the prevailing view that acupuncture was actually developed 2,000 years after Ötzi in Asia. Another possibility is that acupuncture represents independent invention in at least two different societies. In the meantime, the locations of the tattoos only represent a unique coincidence with acupuncture points.
The circumstances of Ötzi’s death are still unknown but many theories have been proposed. The most well-known theory is that Ötzi was under attack and trying to flee from the assault. This would account for all his wounds and the arrow point lodged in his shoulder. Unfortunately, this theory runs into trouble when one considers that Ötzi’s stomach was full and not digested at the time of his death. If he was running away then how did he have the time to eat a full meal?
Another suggested theory maintains that Ötzi was attacked but it took the form of an ambush instead. This could explain the stomach contents; Ötzi was wandering the mountains and decided to rest in order to eat his next meal which gave his attacker a chance to sneak up on him and strike. This theory is further supported by the placement of the artifacts in the gully. It appeared that the bow and quiver had been neatly placed against the rock face, as if the owner had gently placed the items down in order to rest. Unfortunately, the evidence does not reveal who attacked Ötzi or why the attack took place.
There are additional fringe theories about Ötzi’s death. It had been proposed that Ötzi was sacrificed to supernatural deity. But there is no other evidence offered except how the artifacts were placed. In the context of the sacrifice theory the intentional placement meant that Ötzi was in that specific location for a reason. It is also presumed that there had been a stone slab that could serve as an altar that was broken up or covered over time. The altar’s presence is mere conjecture as there were no physical indicators of an altar.
An additional theory proposes Ötzi was intentionally buried. Ötzi had died, either by an accident or attack, and was then taken to the mountains to be buried. Once again the intentional placement of the artifacts is cited as evidence. Yet the layout of site does not suggest a burial, it was too scattered and the body was found face down in the ice with contorted limbs. This does not fit the usual profile of a burial pose.
But just like any prehistoric evidence it will take time to find all the answers; and with Ötzi there is no shortage of questions.
- Were his tattoos meant to be therapeutic?
- Were his tattoos the beginning of acupuncture?
- Was Ötzi really a part of the upper echelon as indicated by his copper axe?
- How did Ötzi live his life?
- What was Ötzi’s occupation?
- Was Ötzi attacked leading to his death?
- Why was Ötzi in the mountains at the time of his death?
Ötzi’s tattoos seemingly correspond to acupuncture points. But much more evidence will be needed if one is to override the prevailing view that acupuncture was actually developed 2,000 years after Ötzi in Asia. Another possibility is that acupuncture represents independent invention in at least two different societies. In the meantime, the locations of the tattoos only represent a unique coincidence with acupuncture points.
The circumstances of Ötzi’s death are still unknown but many theories have been proposed. The most well-known theory is that Ötzi was under attack and trying to flee from the assault. This would account for all his wounds and the arrow point lodged in his shoulder. Unfortunately, this theory runs into trouble when one considers that Ötzi’s stomach was full and not digested at the time of his death. If he was running away then how did he have the time to eat a full meal?
Another suggested theory maintains that Ötzi was attacked but it took the form of an ambush instead. This could explain the stomach contents; Ötzi was wandering the mountains and decided to rest in order to eat his next meal which gave his attacker a chance to sneak up on him and strike. This theory is further supported by the placement of the artifacts in the gully. It appeared that the bow and quiver had been neatly placed against the rock face, as if the owner had gently placed the items down in order to rest. Unfortunately, the evidence does not reveal who attacked Ötzi or why the attack took place.
There are additional fringe theories about Ötzi’s death. It had been proposed that Ötzi was sacrificed to supernatural deity. But there is no other evidence offered except how the artifacts were placed. In the context of the sacrifice theory the intentional placement meant that Ötzi was in that specific location for a reason. It is also presumed that there had been a stone slab that could serve as an altar that was broken up or covered over time. The altar’s presence is mere conjecture as there were no physical indicators of an altar.
An additional theory proposes Ötzi was intentionally buried. Ötzi had died, either by an accident or attack, and was then taken to the mountains to be buried. Once again the intentional placement of the artifacts is cited as evidence. Yet the layout of site does not suggest a burial, it was too scattered and the body was found face down in the ice with contorted limbs. This does not fit the usual profile of a burial pose.