Scientists have reexamined the DNA of the well-known mummy Oetzi, who was found in the Italian Alps many years ago. It was discovered by researchers that the majority of the descendants of the ancient hunter were farmers in what is now Turkey. According to the findings, Oetzi had darker skin and less hair on his head than previously believed by scientists. The study was just published in the Cell Genomics journal. After being shot with an arrow, Oetzi, who lived more than 5,000 years ago, was frozen into the ice. His body, along with some of his clothes and tools, was discovered in 1991 by German tourists visiting the region.
In 2012, a study of Oetzi’s genome—her genetic makeup—was published. But in the years that followed, research on ancient DNA advanced. Thus, researchers chose to reexamine the mummy’s genetic makeup, according to study author Johannes Krause of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany. Scientists employed DNA extracted from Oetzi’s hip bone. As per Andreas Keller of Saarland University in Germany, the recently discovered DNA is offering “deeper insights into the history of this mummy.” Keller contributed to the previous study but did not work on the most recent one.
The new DNA suggests that Oetzi looked a lot like the modern mummy when he passed away, at roughly 45 years old. According to research author Albert Zink of the Institute for Mummy Studies at Eurac Research in Italy, it is dark and has little hair. It was once believed by scientists that the iceman had lighter skin and hair in his natural state, but that his mummified body had undergone changes over time. The researchers also discovered that his DNA indicated he was more likely to develop diabetes and obesity.
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