Question

Scientists were surprised by which thing found in Ötzi the Iceman's stomach, and why?

Answer 1

Scientists were surprised to find that Ötzi the Iceman's stomach contained remnants of red deer meat, as it had been previously assumed that his diet consisted primarily of plants. This finding provided new insights into the dietary habits of Copper Age Europeans and challenged previous assumptions about their reliance on agriculture. Additionally, the presence of the red deer meat in Ötzi's stomach suggested that he had eaten a last meal that was high in fat and protein, which may have provided him with the energy needed for his fateful journey through the Alps.

Answer 2

Ötzi the Iceman was a well-preserved mummy found in the Italian Alps in 1991. One of the most interesting things about his remains was the discovery of his last meal. Analysis of his stomach contents showed that he had recently eaten a meal of ibex meat, a type of wild goat that lived in the region, and a type of ancient bread made from einkorn wheat. What surprised scientists was the presence of the ibex's stomach contents in Ötzi's stomach. They discovered that Ötzi had eaten the ibex meat raw, with no signs of cooking. This was surprising because it was previously believed that prehistoric humans only ate meat that had been cooked over fire. The discovery of the raw meat in Ötzi's stomach suggested that prehistoric humans may have eaten raw meat more often than previously thought and that cooking food may not have been as prevalent in ancient societies as previously believed.