Ten years after the first analysis of Ötzi’s genome, improved sequencing technology has now enabled a research team from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and Eurac Research to reconstruct the Iceman’s genetic make up much more accurately. It shows that he had darker skin than previously thought, was most likely bald, and only eight percent of his genes are of European ancestry. Archaeogeneticist Johannes Krause and anthropologist Albert Zink explain the findings.

Interview with archaeogeneticist Johannes Krause and anthropologist Albert Zink 

“The fact that Ötzi is 92 percent Anatolian may come as a surprise to many”

A research team used advanced sequencing technology to analyze Ötzi’s genome to obtain a more accurate picture of the Iceman’s appearance and genetic origins.

Dark skin, bald head, Anatolian ancestry: The latest findings from the Iceman’s genome

A paleogenetic study conducted on the skeletal remains of 94 individuals found at 11 archaeological sites in South Tyrol and dating from the period between the 5th and 12th centuries AD suggests that people moved around and admixed with other European groups, albeit with some interesting differences. Diet was also varied to arrive at these conclusions, the research team analyzed complete mitochondrial DNA transmitted through the maternal line as well as isotopes that provided information on diet and mobility. 

Bioarchaeology indicates exchanges with other populations and a varied diet 

South Tyrol in the Early Middle Ages

30 years after his discovery, many secrets about the Iceman have been solved, but thanks to new medical and molecular biological technologies, Ötzi and other mummified remains may soon help us better understand pathogens and their evolution. 

Ötzi & Co.

The presence of the genetic code of Ötzi’s father in modern Europeans was established in early ancient DNA studies on the 5,000-year-old glacial mummy’s Y chromosome. But what happened to Ötzi’s maternal DNA? Biologist Valentina Coia decided to go looking for genetic evidence of the Iceman‘s mother and concluded that—alas—her descendants have long been extinguished.

Studi sul DNA mitocondriale di Ötzi

Looking for Mommy

Come si differenziavano dal punto di vista genetico gli abitanti delle valli altoatesine nell’alto medioevo? In Eurac Research si cercano risposte nel DNA antico estratto da decine di scheletri. Il lavoro richiede forza e pazienza. 

Una visita alla bioarcheologa Valentina Coia, nel laboratorio per il DNA antico

Con il trapano in cerca di storia

"Celts" up & down the Alps: Origin and Mobility patterns on both sides of the Alps
during the Late Iron Age (4th -1st century BC)

Genomic diversity of prehistoric individuals from the Iceman’s territory in the Eastern Italian Alps

Development and centralization of the laboratory infrastructures of the Institute for Mummy Studies at the technology NOI TechPark

Inferring ancient human kinship structure and microbial evolution using paleogenetics

An interdisciplinary approach to study the history of Early Medieval populations in Trentino-Alto Adige

The Application of next generation sequencing to Archaeology

Institute for Mummy Studies

Valentina Coia

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Valentina Coia

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CeltUDAlps

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PrehistoricAlps

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MummyLabs

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HuMAN-PaGe

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BioArchEM

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NGS ARCHAEOLOGY

MAGAZINE Science Stories that Inspire

“The fact that Ötzi is 92 percent Anatolian may come as a surprise to many”

South Tyrol in the Early Middle Ages

Looking for Mommy

Dark skin, bald head, Anatolian ancestry: The latest findings from the Iceman’s genome

Ötzi & Co.

Con il trapano in cerca di storia

Valentina Coia

Projects

Project

CeltUDAlps

Project

PrehistoricAlps

Project

MummyLabs

Project

HuMAN-PaGe

Project

BioArchEM

Project

NGS ARCHAEOLOGY

MAGAZINE Science Stories that Inspire

“The fact that Ötzi is 92 percent Anatolian may come as a surprise to many”self.__wrap_b(":R17l9dabjlm:",1)

South Tyrol in the Early Middle Agesself.__wrap_b(":R17ladabjlm:",1)

Looking for Mommyself.__wrap_b(":R17lbdabjlm:",1)

Dark skin, bald head, Anatolian ancestry: The latest findings from the Iceman’s genomeself.__wrap_b(":R17l9labjlm:",1)

Ötzi & Co.self.__wrap_b(":R1alalabjlm:",1)

Con il trapano in cerca di storiaself.__wrap_b(":R17lblabjlm:",1)

“The fact that Ötzi is 92 percent Anatolian may come as a surprise to many”

South Tyrol in the Early Middle Ages

Looking for Mommy

Dark skin, bald head, Anatolian ancestry: The latest findings from the Iceman’s genome

Ötzi & Co.

Con il trapano in cerca di storia