Dr. Eduard Egarter Vigl, chief medical examiner for the town of Bolzano, Italy, and official caretaker of Otzi at the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum in Bolzano, announced his discovery of a deep wound on the mummy's right hand, which at this early stage in the research can be interpreted as resulting from a defensive act. The wound dates back to the last few hours of Otzi's life and bolsters the theory that he died during or immediately following a violent encounter. In addition, X-ray analysis revealed a cut in the bone of the right hand corresponding to the wound on the palm. Dr Egarter said that "Due to the irregularity of the risen sides of the wound it is evident that a foreign weapon, possibily belonging to an assailant, was used to inflict the wound and not the Iceman's dagger." Another cut in the bone, which was found on the Iceman's lower right arm also supports this theory, according to Egarter.

After last summer's discovery of an arrowhead lodged in the mummy's back, some scientists hypothesized that the Iceman's death may have been the result of a ritual sacrifice. Dr. Egarter's new finding suggests that the Iceman was engaged in some kind of violent hand-to-hand encounter. The traumatic damage to the corresponding bone in the mummy's right hand and another damaged bone near the wrist further support this theory.

Photo Top Right: Wound on mummy's right hand Copyright: Marco Samadelli / South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology

Photo Bottom Left: Eduard Egarter with mummy Copyright: Brando Quilici / Discovery Channel