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Dr. Egarter's finding was spurred by conversations with one of the first people to discover the mummy in situ, mountain guide Alois Pirpamer. Neither man had met the other until they were brought together by Brando Quilici during the making of his film "Ultimate Guide: Iceman" for the U.S.-based Discovery Channel. In the course of filming, Pirpamer mentioned for the first time an observation he made when Otzi was discovered in September 1991 - the mummy appeared to be holding a knife in his right hand. Dr. Egarter explored this possibility in the laboratory, using X-rays and microscopic images of the hand to determine whether or not the knife fit. It was during this research that the wounds of the right hand were discovered for the first time.
Dr. Egarter's future plans for examination of the mummy include the formation of a working group of scientists from a variety of disciplines to conduct radiological, hygenic, anatomical and forensic studies to corroborate the theory of Otzi's death. "We believe we will find the complete answer to Otzi's death eventually," Egarter said, "We now think we know how Otzi died, but the exact circumstances surrounding his death remain a mystery that will be unraveled over time."
The Discovery Channel will be filming Dr. Egarter's on-going research for an upcoming program to air in 2003. The future film and ULTIMATE GUIDE: ICEMAN were developed and produced by Brando Quilici for the Discovery Channel..
Photo Top Right:
Dr. Egarter tests to see if the knife fits in the mummy's hand
Copyright: Brando Quilici / Discovery Channel
Photo Bottom Left:
Dr Egarter examines the Iceman's hand
Copyright: Brando Quilici / Discovery Channel
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