New insights on Ötzi’s injuries from a clinical perspective

The Tyrolean Iceman (Ötzi), discovered in the Tyrolean Alps, in 1991 is a remarkably well-preserved natural mummy estimated to be around 5300 years old, dating back to the Copper Age. Numerous medical insights have been gained from the mummy, including the detection of Helicobacter pylori, Trichuris trichiura, gallstones, and calcifications in the blood vessels. The present study examined well-known ante-mortem traumas from a surgical perspective. These included an arrow injury to the shoulder, a stab wound to the right hand, traumatic brain injury (TBI), rib fractures, and frostbite on the toe. In the case of an arrow injury to the shoulder, external bleeding is a matter of debate. Physiological reconstruction has indicated that significant blood loss through the wound track to the outside of the body is unlikely, suggesting a potential survival time of several hours. The study raised doubts about the reported traumatic brain injury and frostbite of the fifth toe. The unusual hand position on the right side could be attributed to the fact that the stab wound, which was several days old, had been bandaged at the time of death. These clinical findings offer valuable new insights into Ötzi's injuries.