Scientists have revealed that the last meal of Oetzi the Iceman, the frozen hunter who died 5,300 years ago in the Alps, was well-balanced but also alarmingly high in fat. After putting the stomach contents through a battery of tests, including DNA matching and microscopic inspections, the researchers found traces of red deer and ibex meat and plenty of ibex fat, ancient einkorn wheat, and traces of toxic fern.
Infographics: Republica Infographics
The study, published in Current Biology, gives a rare glimpse into what was on the menu during the Copper Age. Though the researchers had previously examined Oetzi's intestines, this was the first time they could look into his stomach. Following Oetzi's death, the organ moved upwards. It was not until 2009, 18 years after his remains were discovered near the Italy-Austria border, that a radiologist detected it behind the rib cage. And it was full. After slowly defrosting the body, the team took samples and rehydrated them.
