Station 1: Forensic Investigation

Given a handout. Students will have a forensic investigation where they will
examine the autopsy findings of the Iceman. The teacher will provide them with the
same evidence that archaeologists had, including X-rays, DNA analysis, and injuries.
Have them work in teams to construct hypotheses about the cause of his violent
death, using the available evidence.

Rubric for Forensic Investigation Activity:

Criteria Excellent Proficient Developing Novice
Struggles to
Develops clear, Develops reasonable Develops basic develop
well-supported hypotheses with hypotheses with meaningful
Hypotheses hypotheses. some minor issues. significant issues. hypotheses.
Presents ideas with
Presents ideas some clarity but Presents ideas
clearly and in an minor organization Presents ideas with unclearly and
Clarity organized manner. issues. clarity issues. disorganized.
Effectively uses Uses evidence Uses evidence with Fails to use
Use of evidence in reasonably but with significant gaps or evidence
Evidence hypotheses. occasional gaps. errors. effectively.
Total Score 12-10 9-7 6-4 3-1

Solving Ötzi's Violent Death Mystery:

Hypotheses:
1. Conflict with Other People: Ötzi's head injury and hand bruises suggest a fight
with others. The arrow wound may be from an attack.
2. Arrow Attack: He was shot with an arrow, possibly during a confrontation.
3. Ritual or Sacrifice: Blood from four people and body tattoos may indicate a ritual
or sacrifice.
4. Accident: His injuries could be accidental, perhaps from a fall during hunting or
gathering.
5. Multiple Causes: It's possible that a mix of conflicts and accidents led to his death.
Additional Clues:
 Unfinished weapons and arrows suggest he was preparing for something.
 Mushrooms might reveal his last meal or cultural practices.
 He lived around 5000 years ago during the Copper Age.
Conclusion:
The evidence points to a violent death, likely due to conflict. However, the exact
circumstances remain a mystery that needs more investigation.
Question and Answer:

1. Question: How might the presence of unfinished longbows and bone-tipped arrows
impact the different hypotheses about Ötzi's cause of death?

Answer Key: The presence of these items suggests Ötzi was preparing for
something, potentially a conflict or a hunt. This could support theories of conflict,
accidents, or ritualistic use of weapons.

2. Question: If further evidence emerged that challenged the hypothesis of a violent

death, what alternative theories could be considered, and what evidence might
support these alternatives?

Answer Key: Alternative theories could include accidents, rituals, or health-related

causes. Supporting evidence might involve examining Ötzi's belongings, other bodies
from the same era, or historical records.

3. Question: How can Ötzi's DNA analysis and ancestry help corroborate or challenge
the developed hypotheses about his death?

Answer Key: DNA analysis can reveal potential connections to others in the region,
which could support conflict-related theories. Alternatively, if he had an unusual
genetic profile, it might point towards a ritual or sacrificial context.

These questions encourage critical thinking about the complexities of Ötzi's death, the
impact of different types of evidence, and the need to consider multiple perspectives when
developing hypotheses.