NEW YORK. Oetzi the Iceman, a historical figure discovered decades ago within the Italian Alps’ icy terrain, is revealing new insights. Scientists have delved into his DNA to provide a more accurate portrayal of this ancient hunter.
According to a study published on Wednesday in the journal Cell Genomics, it has been established that Oetzi’s lineage primarily hails from farmers in present-day Turkey. Moreover, the study revealed that he had less hair on his head and darker skin than initially believed.
Oetzi, who lived over 5,000 years ago, was preserved in ice after meeting his demise from an arrow wound to his back. This “natural mummy” was discovered in 1991 by hikers, alongside some of his belongings including a copper axe, a longbow, and a bearskin hat. Oetzi’s remains are now showcased at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy.
An earlier version of Oetzi’s genetic makeup was published in 2012. However, due to advancements in ancient DNA research, scientists opted to reevaluate the iceman’s genes. The DNA was extracted from Oetzi’s hip bone.
The updated genome, as elucidated by Johannes Krause, a geneticist from Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, “offers deeper insights into the history of this mummy.” Andreas Keller from Germany’s Saarland University, who was involved in the previous version but not the current study, endorsed this sentiment.
The analysis of the new genome indicates that Oetzi’s appearance at around age 45 closely resembled how the mummy appears today: possessing darker skin and minimal hair. Albert Zink, head of the Institute for Mummy Studies at Eurac Research in Italy and one of the study’s authors, highlighted that prior assumptions about Oetzi’s light skin and hairiness were likely inaccurate, and his mummified form altered over time.
The genome data also unveiled an elevated predisposition to obesity and diabetes in Oetzi’s case.
Furthermore, Oetzi’s lineage suggests that he lived within a secluded population in the Alps. While modern-day Europeans usually possess a blend of genes from three distinct groups—Anatolian farmers, western hunter-gatherers, and eastern herders—Oetzi’s ancestry is notably different. An astonishing 92% of his genetic heritage can be traced back to the Anatolian farmers, with limited genetic intermingling from the other groups, as articulated by Albert Zink.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
