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Delve into the intriguing life of the Iceman to learn about his survival gear, medicinal knowledge, injuries, and age determination through carbon-dating tests. Discover how this ancient figure interacted with the environment and the mysteries surrounding his presence in the Alps.
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Objectives: • Describe how the Iceman was an expert at interacting with the environment. • Explain how scientists have determined the Iceman’s age.
A. Equipped for Survival (p. 35) • Found near the Iceman were all sorts of survival gear. • Knife-blades, rope, hunting arrows, and even a small net (for catching birds) were found.
B. A Fire-Starter and Medicine Chest (p. 35) • A handful of black fungus contained tiny crystals of sulfur and iron (used in today’s matches). • Archaeologists conclude that this was a kind of fire-starter. • A birch fungus bead contained an ingredient that helps fight disease. • This may have been the Iceman’s medicine chest.
C. Examining the Evidence (p. 35) • The Iceman was moved from the Alps to a special refrigerated room. • He was determined to be about 5 feet 2. • From the amount of wear on his teeth, he was judged to be between 35 and 40 years old when he died. • He had wavy dark brown hair and a beard.
D. Injuries (p. 35) • X Rays revealed that the Iceman had broken ribs on his right side. • He was found lying on his left side. • Scientists wonder if he could have been injured in a fall. • Glacier ice would mummify, imprison, and preserve him for 5,000 years.
E. Who was the Iceman? (p. 36) • He was an expert at interacting with the environment. • 17 different kinds of trees and 8 different kinds of animals were used to make his belongings. • He was able to shape copper into tools. • Traces of grain show that he had contact with farmers.
F. The Mystery Remains (p. 36) • Scientists are still puzzled about why he was so high up in the Alps. • They suggest that he may have been a shepherd. • The Iceman’s misfortune has proven to be history’s great gain.
G. Carbon-Dating Tests (p. 37) • All living things contain carbon. • When they die, a special type of carbon called carbon-14 begins to break down at a known rate. • By measuring the amount of carbon-14 that has broken down in a sample, scientists can determine its age. • Four independent tests concluded that the Iceman was between 5,000 and 5,300 years old.
Review • How old was the Iceman when he died? • How might the Iceman have used many of the items discovered near his body? • How do we know that he was an expert at interacting with the environment? • What kind of tests were performed on him to determined his age?