Very useful documentaries, although they weren't able to be posted as hyperlinks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apTKy0nkQnc
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1849889667776048429
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA3AiNup7fY

The issues relating to the custodianship and ownership of the Iceman and the ethics involved in displaying his human remains.

There have been various disputes on the custodianship of the Otzi iceman. The official discoverer of the iceman, Helmut Simons who one day, along with his partner traveling along the alps and stumbled across Otzi, was entitled to 25% of the iceman’s value as ruled by the Italian Government in compensation for their discovery. Initially, Simons turned down an offer of 5200 euros by the government and sued as he thought this was unsatisfactory to his demand and the initial value of the iceman. He emphasized his role in finding this mummy and demanded $300,000 US dollars in return for his find. Following this, 2 other persons claimed that they had discovered the body first, Magdalena Mohar Jarc who claims she found the iceman and requested Simons take photographs, therefore finding the body first. Sandra Nemeth also claims she spat on the body as she discovered it before Simons and Magdalena, although scientists could not find traces of this. These cases were all held in the “Bolzano” court. Helmut Simons died in 2004, although in 2006, his discovery was eventually recognized and the legal costs would be paid wholly to his partner Mrs. Erika Simons who reduced her claim to 150,000 euros and is rewarded this in recognition of the tourist attraction to the iceman. In terms of ethics, one of the most important questions was on the ownership of the Otzi iceman. There were also disputes on whether the iceman belonged to Germany or Italy as he laid in between the borders, although briefly investigated, it was proven that Italy would receive ownership. In terms of the ethics within displaying the iceman’s remains, great importance was placed on restrained presentation, this is evident through a small “window” 40 x 30 cm in which people could decide to look at the iceman and was not salient and centered for attention in the museum. In doing this, scientists try to maintain the balance of displaying essentially a human being but nevertheless also portraying its scientific value. Burial of the iceman has been an issue although the scientific value of the iceman and its significant lead to history, considering he had the oldest intact remains available has over ruled the ethical issues but instead compromised and compensated with retrained visual access to museum visitors and an extent for scientists to research the iceman.

The changing interpretations about the Iceman's cause of death, from the time of his discovery to the present.

There have been various changing interpretations for the cause of the Iceman’s death. One of the earliest theories of the death of the iceman was"A peaceful death," including himself getting caught in a heavy snowfall and falling asleep to his death. The only conclusion made at this time was this theory of freezing to death as there were no other traces of death including no visible damage from predators. This was due to the fact that during the discovery of the iceman, observations by the naked eye did not reveal what X rays later on showed 10 years after, along with CT scans on June 2001 the tip of an arrow lodged in him.

Following this theory, scientists presumed the Iceman was injured in a fight or brawl before dying. An injury in his hand, suggesting a knife fight beforehand in conjunction with X-rays revealing broken ribs, placed question on whether he was in a brawl or suffered injury from a fall. Although this was put to rest once X-rays were redone and observations proved the ribs were compressed by snow and overlapping of rib bones were misread.

Another theory of his death would be that the Otzi Iceman was a homicide, this theory was widely accepted and has been finalized and the Otzi iceman's cause of death. An arrow was found lodged in the iceman’s left shoulder blade causing him to bleed for hours as it pentrated an essential artery causing him to die a painful and agonizing death. An injury in his hand from a fight a few days before his death leading on with his escape from town (thus the unfinished weapons) draws conclusion to the fact that he was escaping from someone else who murdered him later on.

Following this, another imposed theory was that the iceman died from an unsuccessful plan. Theory was placed that the iceman got into a brawl with his attacker and injuring his hand in the knife fight and whilst escaping got shot by an arrow for his prized axe. He then devised a plan to save himself by setting up camp and placing his items on rocks and positioning his quiver for the kill. Otzi took along a dagger in case is plan failed. Covering himself in snowdrift to hide himself from the attacker, it is presumed that the attacker gave up and Otzi fell asleep and died. Additionally, According to Walter Leitner of the Institute for Ancient and Early History at the University of Innsbruck in Austria The Otzi iceman was a victim of “powerplay” and was killed by another group for his high status and to assume his power as he could have been a shaman (assumed from his copper axe which was not common). They killed him at a distance in order to make it seem like an accident and left his items in order to not raise suspicion.

In conclusion, scientists have ended their theory that because the iceman had a large meal before he died, he was not struggling or rushing to escape from anyone and because his killer was scared to be identified, evident in the removal of their arrow and the fact that they did not take his valuable axe, they conclude that the ice man was killed by someone he knew.

What were two items found with the Iceman or to do with his body and how have they enhance our knowledge and understanding of the man and the time

Two items found with the iceman would include an unfinished yew longbow of 1.82 meters long and a copper axe, 60 centimeters at its haft and 9.5centimeters long axe head. In relation the yew longbow, it concisely portrays the Otzi Iceman as a hunter or a warrior during his time. It also helps us date the time in which he came from as we can date the time the longbow was made and just the mere observation of the time it would be used. This item helps us understand his role at the time and his capabilities as well as the possible cause of death as the bow was incomplete and supports the theory that he escaped town in a rush or the possibility that he was unprepared for his attacker. It also proposed the possibility that he was a hunter or gatherer, although proved later on that he was a pastoralist who cared for animals. These are also significant for Otzi at his time of the Iron Age as being the oldest intact remaining mummy, he proves to scientists that smelting was available way before predicted.

In the case of the copper axe, it significantly exemplifies the status of the Iceman, as this tool would be a valuable possession at the time and we see through this he wasn’t just a hunter but someone of social significance it supports the theory that he could be a shaman. Archaeological experiments have shown that the copper axe was an ideal tool for felling trees and could fell a yew tree in 35 minutes without sharpening. The axe was therefore not just a symbol of rank as around 3000 years BC, copper axes were a status symbol and shows that he may have been a tribal leader. This can be supported from other grave finds. Through understanding the status and hunting capabilities, we can question the cause of the Iceman’s death.

When, where and how the Iceman was discovered?

The iceman was discovered by 2 German tourists, a couple of Helmut Simons and Erika Simons. 3210m at Otzal Alps on the Australian – Italian border on the 19th September 1991, therefore deriving the name “Otzi Iceman.” The next day, two men tried to excavate the body using a pneumatic drill and ice axes although of no avail due to the harsh conditions. The official recovery of the body took place on September 23, 1991 under the supervision of Professor Henn from the Institute of forensic medicine of the University of Innsbruck freed with the help of ice picks, ski poles and ice axes

Bibliography


http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/five-millennia-on-iceman-of-bolzano-gives-up-dna-secrets-2041236.html
"Five millennia on, Iceman of Bolzano gives up DNA secrets" Michael Day, The Independent, 2 August 2010


http://www.mummytombs.com/otzi/theories.htm
© 1988-2012 James M. Deem 
How to Make a Mummy Talk (Deem, 1995), National Geographic (June 1993), Petr Jandácek (personal correspondence); Smithsonian (February 2003), Discovery.com (1/4/05

http://archaeology.about.com/od/iterms/qt/iceman.htm
By K. Kris Hirst


http://www.bolzano.net/english/iceman-archaeological-museum.html