Discovery
Otzi's physical features and condition
Name that Scientific Method
Otzi's identity
Death
100
In what year was Otzi discovered?
1991 (19th September)
100
Judging from his bone structure, what was Otzi's approximate age at his death?
45 years old.
100
What technique was used to date the metal in the axe head?
Radiocarbon dating.
100
Radiocarbon dating performed in 1992 shows that Otzi died approximately how many years ago?
5300.
100
What was an early theory put forward to explain the death of Otzi?
Hypothermia.
200
What is the name of the mountains in which Otzi's body was found? (be specific)
Otztal Alps, Italy.
200
Botanists found the eggs of which internal parasite in Otzi’s gut?
Whipworm.
200
Doctors found the arrowhead using which medical technique?
X-Ray.
200
The region which the origin of his flint, typology of his axe blade and type of wood used in his equipment (among other scientific tests) suggests that Otzi lived. Coincedentally also the location of 19 of Otzi's modern day genetic relatives.
Tyrol region in the Southern Alps.
200
What did scientists finally determine as Otzi's cause of death?
Blood loss from the wound in his shoulder (Exsanguination).
300
What are the names of the German tourists who first found Otzi?
Erika and Helmut Simon
300
In a CT scan on Otzi in 2013, what impact of his grain-heavy diet was discovered?
Poor oral hygiene – severe wear of enamel in teeth and severe gum disease.
300
Method used in 2012 to reveal that Otzi had suffered a severe head knock shortly before his death.
CATSCAN
300
How do we know that Otzi had the skills to make his copper axe?
Copper particles and arsenic found in his hair.
300
What evidence is there to suggest that Otzi escaped a violent confrontation just before his death?
Defence wound on hand.
400
How was Otzi’s body able to remain intact for so long?
Deep gully protected the body and implements from being ground up by glacial movement above.
400
What did both X-Rays of Otzi's skeleton and systemic disease in his nail cells reveal?
He was regularly under heavy physical strain/stress.
400
What was the name of the experiment in which scientists examined the trajectory of the arrowhead found in Otzi's left shoulder?
'Side of pork' experiment.
400
What did isotopic testing on Otzi's teeth reveal?
Teeth formed in local area - He was a local, not a foreigner.
400
What was discovered from DNA analysis of Otzi's cloak?
The blood of four different people, further evidence that he was likely involved in a battle.
500
Why are Otzi's remains such a significant discovery?
He was found straight from his everyday life, allowing archaeologists to learn about life in the late Stone Age through the artefacts he had on him.
500
What evidence was found in Otzi’s body to suggest that his health was deteriorating as a result of a fatty diet?
Calcification in major arteries.
500
How did the archaeologists prove that Otzi died from his wounds?
Endoscope (revealing chest cavity and arteries free of blood - all blood flowed out of body)
500
Examination of Otzi's stomach contents reveal what he ate for his final meal. What was it?
Grains and ibex (wild goat) meat.
500
How were scientists able to tell whether damage to Otzi's body happened before or after his death?
Blue Pigment Test
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