fl. c.3300 BCE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96tzi_the_Iceman
Ötzi's copper axe was of particular interest, as it is the only complete prehistoric axe so far discovered.[citation needed] The axe's haft is 60 centimetres (24 in) long and made from carefully worked yew with a right-angled crook at the shoulder, leading to the blade. The 9.5 centimetres (3.7 in) long axe head is made of almost pure copper, produced by a combination of casting, cold forging, polishing, and sharpening. It was let into the forked end of the crook and fixed there using birch-tar and tight leather lashing. The blade part of the head extends out of the lashing and shows clear signs of having been used to chop and cut. At the time, such an axe would have been a valuable possession, important both as a tool and as a status symbol for the bearer.[29]
Ötzi had several carbon tattoos including groups of short, parallel, vertical lines to both sides of the lumbar spine, a
cruciform mark behind the right knee, and various marks around both ankles. Radiological examination of his bones showed "age-conditioned or strain-induced degeneration" in these areas, including osteochondrosis and slight spondylosis in the lumbar spine and wear-and-tear degeneration in the knee and especially the ankle joints.[23] It has been speculated that these tattoos may have been related to pain relief treatments similar to acupressure or acupuncture. If so, this is at least 2000 years before their previously known earliest use in China (c. 1000 BC).[24]
A group of scientists have sequenced Ötzi's full genome and the report was published on 28 February 2012.[30][31] The Y-DNA of Ötzi belongs to the subclade G2a2b(L91+) (back then it was called "G2a4(L91+)"). He was not typed for any of the subclades downstreaming from G2a2b. G2a2b is now mostly found in South Corsica. Analysis of his mitochondrial DNA has shown that Ötzi belongs to the K1 subclade, but cannot be categorized into any of the three modern branches of that subclade (K1a, K1b or K1c). The new subclade has provisionally been named K1ö for Ötzi.[32] Multiplex assay study was able to confirm that the Iceman's mtDNA belongs to a new European mtDNA clade with a very limited distribution amongst modern data sets.[33] He is most closely related to southern Europeans, particularly geographically isolated populations of Sardinia and Corsica.[34][35] DNA analysis also showed him at high risk of atherosclerosis, lactose intolerance, and the presence of the DNA sequence of Borrelia burgdorferi making him the earliest known human with Lyme disease.[36]
"Ötzi's curse"
Influenced by the "Curse of the pharaohs" and the media theme of cursed mummies, claims have been made that Ötzi is cursed. The allegation revolves around the deaths of several people connected to the discovery, recovery and subsequent examination of Ötzi. It is alleged that they have died under mysterious circumstances. These persons include co-discoverer Helmut Simon,[56] and Konrad Spindler, the first examiner of the mummy in Austria at a local morgue in 1991.[57] To date, the deaths of seven people, of which four were the result of some violence in the form of accidents, have been attributed to the alleged curse. In reality hundreds of people were involved in the recovery of Ötzi and are still involved in studying the body and the artifacts found with it. The fact that a small percentage of them have died over the years is not peculiar.[58]
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