ANCIENT HUMAN REMAINS

OTZI: THE ICEMAN

WORKSHEET

T A S K W E B S I T E I N V E S T I G A T I O N:

In your allocated groups go to the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology

website: www.iceman.it/en/node/226 .
Each group must investigate and research the website to answer a set of
questions as specified below.
Each group is to record their findings to share with the class at the end of the
lesson.

South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology

Website Study
Complete in the table below when other class members are presenting.

The Story of the Find

The Mummy as a
World Sensation

The Circumstances
of the Icemans
Death

The Icemans
Clothing and
Equipment

How did he Live

Otzi in the Museum

G R O U P 1: T H E S T O R Y O F T H E F I N D:

T H E D I S C OV E R Y:
Q. Where and when was Otzi discovered?
Q. Explain the circumstances of the find.
T H E R E C O V E R Y:
Q. Explain the problems encountered when recovering the body.
Q. How was Otzi finally recovered from the ice?
T H E B O R D E R Q U E S T I O N:
Q. Explain the issues of ownership/custodianship over Otzi.
E X C A V A T I O N S I N T H E I C E:
Q. What else did they find at the excavation site?
W H Y D I D O T Z I R E M A I N I N T A C T?
Q. Explain the theory on how Otzis body was preserved.

G R O U P 2: T H E M U M M Y A S A W O R L D S E N S A T I O N

T H E I N C R E D I B L E A G E O F T H E F I N D:
Q. Who was the archaeologist who first examined Otzi and what conclusions did
he make based on the evidence?
Q. What methods were used by scientists to determine the age of Otzi and what
age is he estimated to be?
Q. What significant events occurred after the death of Otzi?
W H A T I S S O E X T R A O R D I N A R Y A B O U T T H E I C E M A N?
Q. Explain why and how Otzi is so extraordinary and different to other mummies.
T H E M U M M Y:
Q. Describe the features of the mummy.
Q. Name some of the anatomical anomalies.
Q. What state of health was Otzi in before he died?
Q. What did scientific investigation inside the body reveal about Otzis condition?
Q. What do these finds suggest about how Otzi lived?
Q. What hypotheses and conclusions are drawn about Otzis tattoos?
Q. Explain the conflicting hypotheses about the mummification process. Which
do you feel is more plausible or do you have another explanation?

G R O U P 3: T H E C I R C U M S T A N C E S O F T H E I C E M A N S D E A T H

H O W D I D T H E I C E M A N D I E?
Q. Explain the evidence and hypothesis about the Icemans death.
Q. When did the Iceman die?
Q. Summarize the evidence leading to this conclusion.

T H E I C E M A N S C L O T H I N G A N D E Q U I P M E N T

C O N C L U S I O N S F R O M T H E I C E M A N S C L O T H I N G A N D
EQUIPMENT
Q. Describe some of the conclusions about the life of Otzi drawn from his
clothing and equipment.
Q. What items were found with Ozti?
Q. Describe the various articles of clothing found with the Iceman.
Q. Describe the various pieces of equipment found with the Iceman.

G R O U P 4: H O W D I D H E L I V E?

W H O W A S T H E I C E M A N?
Q. From the evidence found what can we conclude about the icemans
position in society?
W H I C H C U L T U R A L G R O U P D I D O T Z I B E L O N G T O?
Q. Based on scant Copper Age finds in South Tyrol, which cultural group do
indicators suggest Ozti belonged to?
Q. Describe the artifacts found to support this hypothesis.
W H E R E D I D O T Z I L I V E?
Q. How has scientists and archaeologists arrived at conclusions about where Otzi
lived? Describe the scientific method of determining this information.
SOCIETY
Q. Describe the indicated characteristics of society during the Copper Age.

G R O U P 5: H O W D I D H E L I V E?

HOUSES & VILLAGES

Q. Describe the locations, features of settlements and houses in the Alpine region
during the Copper Age.
CULT OF THE DEAD & RELIGION
Q. Describe the beliefs and rituals performed for the dead in society, in the
Copper Age.
Q. In addition to burial ritual, certain religious beliefs and cultural practices were
evident. Describe the various practices and beliefs.
ECONOMY
Q. What were the features of the economy during the third and fourth millennia
BC?
C O P P E R, A P R E C I O U S M E T A L
Q. Describe the importance and use of copper during this period. What
implications did this have for smelters and casters in society?
Q. How did the development and production of copper items impact on the
economy and society? How did this distinguish classes within society?

G R O U P 6: O T Z I I N T H E M U S E U M

T H E I C E M A NS R E T U R N T O S O U T H T Y R O L
Q. When was Otzi returned to South Tyrol?
CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY
Q. Detail the scientific processes required to continue to conserve Otzis body.
OTZI ON DISPLAY
Q. Describe the considerations and issues experienced by the government over
displaying the Icemans remains.
Q. How were they resolved?
A LOOK AT THE RESEARCH WORK
Q. Explain the significance of the find in terms of extended research for scientists
and historians.