ACCOUNT FOR THE CHANGING INTERPRETATIONS ABOUT THE ICEMANS CAUSE OF DEATH, FROM THE TIME OF HIS DISCOVERY TO THE PRESENT. REFER TO SPECIFIC ARGUMENTS AND REASONS FOR THE DIFFERENCES IN PERSPECTIVES OVER TIME

Although there are various suggestions as to how the iceman had died there is not any real evidence which showcases his exact cause of death

Back in 1994 Spindler had concluded that the Iceman was probably a shepherd who died from a storm.It was believed that the Iceman had died from being hit by an arrow head.Advances in technology through CT  scans and x-rays have revealed a 13mm long rip in the Iceman’s left subclavian artery lying just under his collar bone. There is evident blood which poured out into the surrounding tissue which formed a hermatoma which can is evident in the beast cavity. Dr Frank  Ruhli from the University of Zurich concluded that the arrowhead hit was deadly, it was clear that the Iceman would not have been living for long after the hit, as it was a quick death.

There are signs of clotted blood entering the hole where the arrow had hit him, indicating that the arrow had been broken off when the Iceman was still alive. There are many theories as to how the shaft from the Iceman’s back was removed many speculate the Iceman removed the shaft himself, whilst others say an ally could have helped him take it out. The final theory being the attacker and murderer of the Iceman removing the shaft to hide all evidence.

Despite the most known cause of death for the Iceman being hit deadly by an arrow head, there have been recent speculations to a new theory which attempts to explain how the Iceman really died. Due to new forensic data and CAT scans it is apparent that new findings have been revealed, it shows that the Iceman did in fact die of a head trauma instead of the arrow wound. After being hit by the arrow head , and loosing a huge amount of blood, he must have lost consciousness. Scientist believe that due to the cause of death being a head trauma, the Iceman could have died by hitting his head on a rock when he fell from being hit by the arrow head, or alternatively being inflicted with a bow to his head from the attacker.

There is also such theory that the iceman was killed by someone he knew,perhaps a member of his community who was envious of his skills. The copper axe the iceman had with him clearly showed that he was a man of great importance , who held with him great symbolic power. This definitely could have been a major factor which members of his community could have despised the iceman and thus wanting him dead. This theory is supported as through analysis of the stomach scientist were able to conclude that Otzi had a large meal before death, this is not at all a normal behavioral aspect for somebody on the run. It was also evident that Otzi’s killer whilst removing the arrow head, did not take the copper axe. This has caused great controversy as the killer must’ve known the value of that copper axe. It is clear that the killer had a thought out plan, as by not taking the copper axe the killer wanted to be precautions and remain unknown.

The new research and analysis has shed some light to some unanswered questions about how the Iceman really died.Over time the advances in technology has been accounted for new analysis taking place with the Iceman which had led to the differences in perspectives of the Iceman’s death. Whether the new research is correct or not is really not guaranteed.Of course everyone is entitled to their own personal opinion as to how the Iceman really died. The two theories proposed do in fact correlate as the hit from the arrow could have caused the blow to his head from falling, but it is difficult to isolate which theory is the right one. For now it still lies in some way a mystery.