The air is sparse in the upper reaches of the Otztal Alps, but the only sounds that intrude upon the silence are those of footsteps trudging across the snow. It was September 19, 1991, when Erika and Helmut Simon were winding down a long hike along the edge of the Tisenjoch ridge. Seeking to take an easier route home, they strayed away from the marked trail into the crevice, filled with the runoff of the glacial melt and rubble. It was then that something brownish and leather-like appeared.From the outset, the thrill was not that of a scientific discovery but rather an instant surge of adrenaline triggered by the knowledge that they had come upon something disastrous. The couple had no idea that they were looking at a body belonging to a person who had breathed his last way before the conception of the Great Pyramid of Giza. These few minutes were the first step toward the discovery of Otzi, the Iceman, whose existence will change the preconceived notions regarding the Copper Age.An archaeological scene five millennia agoIt was chaotic and unplanned because everyone was thinking that they had come upon a recently deceased mountaineer. According to The Discovery made by the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, the rescue operation involved the use of a pneumatic drill and ice picks to excavate the body. It was when they began to see strange items like a copper axe and a flint knife that they understood the nature of the find.
His remarkably intact body and accompanying artefacts offer unprecedented insights into ancient life, diet, and even the violent circumstances of his death, transforming him into a pivotal figure in historical research.
The body had been preserved in a unique way that scientists call wet mummification. Unlike the dry mummies of Egypt, Ötzi had been kept moist by the surrounding ice and protected from the crushing weight of the glacier by the rocky hollow where he fell. This allowed his skin, organs, and even his tattoos to remain in incredible condition. As detailed in the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology research archives, the man was approximately 45 years old when he died, which was a significant age for someone living in 3300 BCE.Besides the remains themselves, it was interesting to see all the artefacts discovered along with this man. His body was not merely frozen; it was packed up with everything he needed for a long trip. A bow, arrows, a copper axe, and a backpack made of wood and leather spoke of a man on the go. By examining his garments, the specialists gained a better understanding of how Neolithic man protected himself from the cold in the mountains. The insulating effect was provided by grass filling in the boots, while the cloak made of grass and animal skin looked quite elaborately crafted.A treasure for scienceThe body was an invaluable source of knowledge on the health and nutrition of ancient peoples. Because of its well-preserved state, it became possible to study Ötzi’s last supper. The results of the examination showed that the man ate dried meat of an ibex, cereals, and fat very soon before dying. The information obtained provided a picture of the diet of the ancient Europeans. At the same time, it became clear that the man was indeed living in the mountains and eating a high-calorie diet.The mystery of how he died also kept researchers busy for decades. For years, people thought he might have succumbed to the cold or an accident. However, as noted in the study published in National Geographic, a modern X-ray revealed a stone arrowhead lodged in his shoulder. This proved that his death was much more violent than originally thought. This transformed Ötzi from a simple mummy into a central figure in a 5,000-year-old cold case.Ötzi continues to be one of the most researched individuals in history. He lives on in a specially constructed cold room in Italy, which is a miniature version of the frozen environment that preserved him for 5,000 years. The story of Erika and Helmut Simon is a perfect example of how taking an easy path leads to becoming part of something that changes history completely. All they wanted was to go back home by taking a quicker route, but, instead, they left the world a legacy of the distant past.