The Ice Man

In better days

It is a fraction over 20 years since the discovery in the Alps between Italy and Austria of the body of an ancient man. He has been nicknamed Oetzi after the valley where he was found.

Since then the body has been prodded and poked, cut and examined. We know that Oetzi is some 5,300 years old and 1.65m tall. Researchers have taken samples of and examined his mitochondrial DNA and his nuclear DNA. They know that his family came from Corsica or Sardinia, that he was blood type O, that he was lactose intolerant, predisposed to heart condition, suffered from Lyme's disease, even that he had brown eyes.

If this had been a war grave - and Oetzi died from loss of blood after being hit by an arrow - you wouldn't be allowed to touch the bodies.

I know it's science, and I suppose it's important, but I am just wondering whether we shouldn't allow the poor chap some dignity.