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Scientists say 'Iceman' died from arrow
Associated Press ^ | 6/6/7 | FRANK JORDANS

Posted on 06/07/2007 10:57:15 AM PDT by presidio9

A prehistoric hunter known as Oetzi whose well-preserved body was found on a snow-covered mountain in the Alps died more than 5,000 years ago after being struck in the back by an arrow, scientists said in an article published Wednesday.

Researchers from Switzerland and Italy used newly developed medical scanners to examine the hunter's frozen corpse to determine that the arrow had torn a hole in an artery beneath his left collarbone, leading to a massive loss of blood.

That, in turn, caused Oetzi to go into shock and suffer a heart attack, according to the article published online in the Journal of Archaeological Science.

Even today, the chances of surviving such an injury long enough to receive hospital treatment are only 40 percent, according to the article.

Oetzi, also known as the Iceman, caused a sensation after his body was discovered by hikers in 1991 on a glacier 10,500 feet above sea level on the border between Austria and Italy.

The body has provided researchers with a wealth of information about the late Neolithic Age, or 3,300 to 3,100 B.C. Archaeologists believe Oetzi, who was carrying a bow, a quiver of arrows and a copper ax, may have been a hunter or warrior killed in a skirmish with a rival tribe.

The fact that the arrow's shaft was pulled out before his death may have worsened the injury, said Frank Ruehli of the University of Zurich, who carried out the research with scientists from Bolzano, Italy, where the iceman's body is preserved.

The findings confirm earlier suspicions that linked the arrowhead embedded in Oetzi's body with his death, and virtually rule out other theories that he had been the victim of a ritual sacrifice or had gotten caught in a storm.

The use of high-resolution computer tomography — normally used to diagnose living patients — allowed the researchers to create three-dimensional images of Oetzi without having to use surgical procedures that would have damaged the body.

"They've applied noninvasive techniques from medical imaging to a specific question and have confirmed that it was the arrow which killed Oetzi, without having to thaw him out," Dean Falk, professor of anthropology at Florida State University, said in a telephone interview.

"I think it's very illustrative of the importance of these new techniques to science," said Falk, who had previously studied the corpse but did not take part in the latest research.

___


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: ancientautopsies; banglist; caveman; csi; godsgravesglyphs; iceman; mummy; oetzi; otzi; theiceman; whodunnit
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1 posted on 06/07/2007 10:57:17 AM PDT by presidio9
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To: presidio9

Iceman died from arrow in yesterday’s thread.


2 posted on 06/07/2007 10:59:02 AM PDT by RightWhale (Repeal the Treaty)
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To: presidio9

When arrows are outlawed, only outlaws will have arrows........


3 posted on 06/07/2007 10:59:46 AM PDT by Red Badger (Bite your tongue. It tastes a lot better than crow................)
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To: presidio9

Well duh. I saw this in a documentary years ago...the media is just catching up.


4 posted on 06/07/2007 11:00:00 AM PDT by Slim Pickens
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To: presidio9

DANG! I didnt know Carl Rove was an archer.


5 posted on 06/07/2007 11:01:00 AM PDT by DogBarkTree (The correct word isn't "immigrant" when what they are doing is "invading".)
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To: presidio9

Adam would have still been alive at this time.


6 posted on 06/07/2007 11:02:18 AM PDT by balch3
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To: presidio9

“A cave painting was found today, documenting the first paleolithic call to ban bows, and certain types of projectile heads, deemed ‘assault arrows’”


7 posted on 06/07/2007 11:02:30 AM PDT by Wiseghy ("You want to break this army? Then break your word to it.")
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Comment #8 Removed by Moderator

To: presidio9

Any suspects?


9 posted on 06/07/2007 11:02:48 AM PDT by P-40 (Al Qaeda was working in Iraq. They were just undocumented.)
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To: Red Badger

“Oetzi, who was carrying a bow, a quiver of arrows and a copper ax, may have been a hunter or warrior killed in a skirmish with a rival tribe.”

I thought primitive man lived peacefully and in harmony with nature. I can’t believe he would be killed by a rival tribe. Such senseless violence.

I also don’t know why he had weapons to go hunting. Weren’t the cavemen vegan in some ways?????


10 posted on 06/07/2007 11:03:18 AM PDT by Dilbert San Diego
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To: RightWhale
...died from arrow...

...Oetzi, who was carrying a bow, a quiver of arrows ...

I still say he's the original Darwin Award Winner, I just can't prove it.

11 posted on 06/07/2007 11:04:12 AM PDT by IllumiNaughtyByNature (I buy gas for my SUV with the Carbon Offsets I sell on Ebay!)
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To: Wiseghy

Another cave painting found in Switzerland, apparantly depicts the work of an early pioneer in ARROW design. It is not known whether the “curved” Arrow design ever got off the drawing board, or cave wall......


12 posted on 06/07/2007 11:06:26 AM PDT by Red Badger (Bite your tongue. It tastes a lot better than crow................)
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To: presidio9

Oh man, he was my favorite player growing up.

Go Spurs!

13 posted on 06/07/2007 11:06:36 AM PDT by dfwgator (The University of Florida - Still Championship U)
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To: K4Harty

see #12.....


14 posted on 06/07/2007 11:07:02 AM PDT by Red Badger (Bite your tongue. It tastes a lot better than crow................)
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To: presidio9

Don’t go hunting with Dick Cheney.


15 posted on 06/07/2007 11:07:21 AM PDT by MediaMole
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To: presidio9

Was CSI able to extract any DNA evidence or fingerprints from the arrow remains? Do they have a suspect yet? Have the democrats started calling for stricter Bow and Arrow Control laws? All pressing questions that the article failed to address.


16 posted on 06/07/2007 11:09:08 AM PDT by VRWCmember
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To: Dilbert San Diego
I also don’t know why he had weapons to go hunting. Weren’t the cavemen vegan in some ways?????

Vegans?....Hunters & gatherers and stealers............

17 posted on 06/07/2007 11:10:13 AM PDT by Red Badger (Bite your tongue. It tastes a lot better than crow................)
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To: presidio9


"Don't play with arrows, kids!"
18 posted on 06/07/2007 11:11:42 AM PDT by reagan_fanatic (I'm Fred, White and Blue!)
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To: VRWCmember
It’s all about the epithelial, baby!
19 posted on 06/07/2007 11:12:48 AM PDT by IllumiNaughtyByNature (I buy gas for my SUV with the Carbon Offsets I sell on Ebay!)
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To: Dilbert San Diego

Do we know if his bow and arrow were properly registered and if he was subjected to sufficient background screening prior to his bow and arrow purchase?


20 posted on 06/07/2007 11:13:20 AM PDT by nhoward14
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