Saturday DNA! Passaic - Mystery of the Iceman

In the fall of 1991, two hikers in the Ötztal Alps came upon the mummified remains of a 5,300-year-old man. Now preserved in a climate-controlled freezer at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, Ötzi's body and accompanying artifacts provide a window into life in Europe during the Copper Age. The mummy also provided a number of medical surprises. Although we think of Lyme disease as a new phenomenon that originated in Connecticut, Ötzi was infected with the Lyme disease microbe. His diet was filled with unprocessed, natural foods, yet he suffered from atherosclerosis. Most mysteriously, Ötzi died from an arrow shot to the back—his murderer had followed him up to the 10,200-foot pass where his body was found. How do scientists know all of these things? Join us to explore some of the interesting forensic techniques that have been used to understand more about the Iceman’s life and death.

Participants will:

• view a 3D model of Ötzi the Iceman;
• use a computer activity to simulate how scientists and historians from different fields came together to study the Iceman; and
• gather evidence from different departments of research and interpret the results to answer some of the mysteries surrounding Ötzi.

Ages 10–13, one adult chaperone required. Chaperones must purchase tickets and participate fully in all program activities.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center