How he died? In July 2001, almost exactly ten years after the
mummy came to light, our consultants, Dr. Egarter Vigl and Dr.
Gostner, made an exciting discovery. Analyzing new X-rays, they
noticed a foreign body lodged in the left shoulder. Subsequent
detailed investigations no longer left any doubt: it was a flint
arrowhead. In all probability Ötzi died as a result of this
wound. On close examination of the left side of Ötzi’s back,
Eduard Egarter Vigl discovered a small skin wound. The wound
opens into a narrow channel leading into the interior of the
body. Penetrating the body, the arrowhead created a 2-cm-wide
hole in the left shoulder blade and ended up just a few
centimetres from the lung. Vital organs were not hit, but the
arrow severed a major blood vessel and damaged the neurovascular
fascicles of the left arm, which must have caused heavy bleeding
and possibly paralysis of the arm. The Iceman probably bled to
death within a matter of minutes. In addition, a deep wound to
the hand and numerous abrasi