Iceman Autopsy

National Geographic ^ | 11-2011 | Stephen S. Hall

[Renfield]

"...The autopsy results have also rewritten the story of the Iceman's final moments. The neuroscientists determined that blood had indeed accumulated at the back of the Iceman's brain, suggesting some sort of trauma—either from falling on his face from the force of the arrow, Zink speculated, or perhaps from a coup de grâce administered by his assailant. DNA analysis of the final meal is ongoing, but one thing is already clear: It was greasy. Initial tests indicate the presence of fatty, baconlike meat of a kind of wild goat called an alpine ibex. "He really must have had a heavy meal at the end," Zink said—a fact that undermines the notion that he was fleeing in fear. Instead, it appears he was resting in a spot protected from the wind, tranquilly digesting his meal, unaware of the danger he was in...."

[Renfield]

Iceman Ping....

[Explorer89]

I visited the Iceman in person this past summer. There is a window on his freezer so that you can see him. More fascinating than the body itself is all of the assorted paraphernalia that was found with him. The museum has his boots, backpack, a bow he was making, his clothes, the contents of his bags, etc. He was carrying a lot of stuff with him, and it was all really well made. It was very beautiful.

[DManA]

Nova had a show on this this week. Surprising finding to me is that they have genetic and physical evidence that Otzi had Limes disease (not mentioned in this article).

I didn’t know they had it in Europe let alone 5 thousand years ago. Another import from the old world I guess.

[Sacajaweau]

How disrespectful can we get?? Any knowledge gained from cutting him open is not useful knowledge. Disgusting.

[outofsalt]

Many of his belongings are pictured here, below the ads. http://donsmaps.com/otzi.html

[silverleaf]

Read later

[mewzilla]

Murder victms are autopsied and often their killers never caught. This case is just colder than most :-)

[momtothree]

“Initial tests indicate the presence of fatty, baconlike meat... had a heavy meal at the end”.

Well, if I am going to die.. I’d rather eat bacon than die with a salad in my stomach.

[MD Expat in PA]

How disrespectful can we get?? Any knowledge gained from cutting him open is not useful knowledge. Disgusting.

It’s not disgusting at all. For one thing, the man was not formally buried but left dead, perhaps even murdered and was under snow and ice for 5,000 years. We can gain a lot of knowledge from this autopsy.

For instance, they found that he had coronary artery disease and Lymes disease. Heart disease has been thought to be the result of our modern life style and diet but this goes to indicate that there may be a stronger genetic component that may result in new research. Knowing that he had Lymes tells us a lot about the genetic makeup of the bacteria that causes the disease that plagues so many in modern times. Knowing more about his diet and his physiology is useful.

[Jack Hammer]

“....how he had died such a violent death.”

Whaddya bet it was his wife who did it?

[WorkingClassFilth]

Agreed. Most of it will result in endless conjecture and academic blowhardism - probably the invention of entire new cultures, languages and the channeling lost memories. However, we live in an age where bodies of executed criminals are sliced and diced and tour the world in educational exhibits for the whole family with their guts strewn about and in saucy poses. Besides, who cares about some ancient dead guy in a culture where you can cut babies in chunks on the public dime because the Founders meant you to have such sacred rights.

[Swede Girl]

ping

[DManA]

Thousands of autopsies are done every day. Do you oppose the practice on religious grounds?

[Sacajaweau]

Nope....It’s totally personal...Defacing and degrading human beings is simply wrong. Society lived without it for millions of years.

[Sacajaweau]

Thanks. In the end, it’s all about money. How much Grant Money has been spent on Otzi?? And I’m sure there’s more to come.

[mewzilla]

FWIW, I think that human remains should be treated with respect and dignity. If that was done in this case, the article certainly didn’t convey that.

[DManA]

One out of 10 deaths in the US results in an autopsy.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/articles/2011/08/04/numbers-of-autopsies-performed-in-us-falls

[DManA]

From the NOVA show, the researchers are treating the body almost reverently. They couldn’t retrieve the arrowhead in his ribs because they were afraid of doing too much damage.

[blueunicorn6]

They put him in a box lined with aluminum foil? They’re going to tan him! Does he have the money for the tan tax?