A new DNA analysis changes the skin color of the legendary snowman

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The researchers’ new DNA analysis contradicts representations hitherto made of the ‘Iceman’.

Gabriel Andrade

3 hours ago

Since the discovery of his mummified corpse more than 30 years ago, Ötzi – also known as the “Ice Man”, has been the subject of scholarly studies and articles. Now, DNA analysis of the mummy has shown that the 5,300-year-old man had dark skin and eyes, and likely had baldness.

This contrasts with the representations hitherto made of Ötzi, who usually painted the Snowman with white skin and long hair.

“It was previously thought that their skin darkened during the mummification process,” he said. CNN Albert Zink, head of the research center Orac Research Institute for Mummy StudiesIn Italy.

However, the researcher explains that dark skin was not popular in Europe at that time. Moreover, he points out that the first farmers on European soil still had quite dark skin. “This changed over time to lighter skin as an adaptation to changes in climate and farmers’ diet,” he explained.

DNA analysis

The mummy was found by a pair of climbers in the Eastern Alps, near Mount Simeleon on the Austrian border with Italy, in 1991. The Egyptian mummy “Ginger” vies for the title of oldest known human mummy.

After that, the Austrian authorities confiscated the body and took it to Innsbruck, where they finally established its true age.

The Archaeological Museum of Alto Adige, in the Italian city of Bolzano, displays the body.

The first time a group of scientists sequenced Ötzi’s genome was in February 2012. Analysis showed that he was at high risk for atherosclerosis and lactose intolerance.

Now, in addition to the details already revealed in the new analysis, Zink says the team hopes to uncover more details, such as the composition of his microbiome.