Iceman Reborn

In 1991, the mummified remains of a man was found in a crevasse in the Alpine mountains. Nicknamed "Otzi," this ancient figure was over 5,000 years old, and quickly became the “most studied human being in history.” Filmmaker Bonnie Brennan's PBS-aired NOVA documentary describes Otzi's celebrated afterlife in his role as one of the most intact ancient bodies ever found. Otzi was estimated to be in his mid-40s, of slight build, and relatively short at about 5-foot-2. His features were disfigured because he was facedown in the ice for thousands of years. Experts found that he suffered from heart disease, arthritis, and an arrow lodged in his shoulder. After discovery, Otzi was confined to a refrigerated cell to avoid deterioration, but cutting-edge technology has allowed the mummy to be replicated using 3D technology. A curious finding is the extensive pattern of tattoos of parallel lines covering Otzi's body. Some speculate that this was a primitive method of treating pain. Otzi lived at the end of the Stone Age, when ancient man's role was changing from hunter-gatherer to farmer. Still, Otzi traveled a lot, probably resulting in lower back and knee problems. Combining approaches from both art and science, researchers struggle to reproduce an accurate rendering of what Otzi might have looked like in his prime. Clues to his life are found in DNA samples, and also—incredibly—an examination of the contents of his stomach. Surprisingly, there is no discussion of how Otzi might have met his violent end, but overall this is a lucid, engrossing detective story. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)