Mysteries of the Ötzi the Iceman Revealed: He Was Bald and a Farmer
In August 2023, new evidence has been revealed that suggests the famous Ötzi the Iceman, who lived 5,300 years ago, was balding and was likely a farmer. The new evidence comes from the Institute of Evolutionary Medicine at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, and was published in the scientific journal Nature Communications.
Ötzi the Iceman is one of the most studied mummies in the world. He was discovered in 1991 in the Ötztal Alps on the Austrian-Italian border, and is believed to have lived during the Copper Age. His remains are incredibly well-preserved, making him a valuable source of information about life during that time period.
Now, thanks to the Institute of Evolutionary Medicine in Zurich, we know that Ötzi was likely balding and was a farmer. This remarkable new evidence was uncovered by analyzing his DNA and using a computer model to reconstruct his face. The researchers found that he had a balding gene, which would have given him a “receding hairline.” Additionally, they confirmed that he had certain genetic traits associated with Neolithic farmers. This suggests that he was likely a farmer himself, a profession that was common during this time period.
source: Phys.org