June 13-19, 2013, Current Events Lesson Plan
Current Event:
According to new research, blows to the head, not an arrow wound, may have killed the Iceman, whose frozen, 5,300-year-old body was discovered in the Italian Alps in 1991. Most experts originally believed he had lost his way, perhaps in a snowstorm, and froze to death while crossing the mountains where he was found. In 2001, however, scientists using X rays discovered what appears to be a stone arrowhead embedded in the Iceman’s chest. From the position of the arrowhead, scientists concluded that he had been shot from behind. Some scientists think that he may have been fleeing over the mountains from enemies when he was killed. Researchers recently reopened the Iceman’s cold-case file after noticing dark spots in the back of his head on a CT scan taken in 2001. They concluded that the Iceman’s brain had been bruised shortly before his death. The new research suggests that the arrow may have only wounded the Iceman. His unknown enemies may then have caught up with him to deliver a fatal coup de grâce (finishing blow). But the researchers also acknowledged that the Iceman may have suffered the brain injuries when falling over after being struck by the arrow.
Objective:
Iceman is the term used to describe the frozen, preserved body of a man found in the Italian Alps in 1991. His body was found by hikers in an area called Ötztaler, along the borders of Italy and Austria. Nicknamed Ötzi, after that location, the mummy is kept frozen in a special museum in Bolzano, Italy. Ötzi has since become one of the most-studied human mummies. From the body, scientists were able to determine that the Iceman was about 40 years old when he died. Radiocarbon tests showed the Iceman died about 3300 B.C. Remains of food inside the body showed he had eaten meat and bread made from an early type of domesticated wheat some hours before his death. Remains of his clothing show that he wore a fur cap, tunic, leggings, leather belt, and loincloth. The remains of a waterproof outer cloak of woven grass were also found with the body. The Iceman wore shoes made of goat hide stitched to bearskin soles. Several pieces of shaped wood found with the body have been interpreted as the frame of a backpack that the man carried. The Iceman’s tools included a copper-headed ax, a flint dagger, a wooden bow, and several arrows. Two small birchbark containers were also found with the body and probably held charcoal embers for starting fire. The Behind the Headlines news stories and related World Book articles explore the Iceman and other archaeological topics.
Words to know:
Discussion Topics:
1. Ask your students what they know about the Alps. (Students might say that the Alps are the largest mountain system in Europe; famous Alp peaks include Jungfrau, the Matterhorn, and Mont Blanc; the Alps are home to deer, eagles, falcons, foxes, and ibexes.)
2. Archaeologists work in many places including Egypt, Greece, the Middle East, North America, and even underwater. Ask your students, “If you could be an archaeologist, where would you want to work? Why?”
3. Ask your students why they think many people are afraid of mummies.
4. Ask your students to debate, “Archaeologists should not excavate human remains.”
5. Ask your students to use the World Book’s Timelines feature to create a timeline of famous archaeological discoveries. (Students may wish to use World Book’s Archaeology article for help.)