In 1991, two German tourists stumbled upon Europe’s oldest known natural human mummy on the border between Italy and Austria. Nicknamed Ötzi after the Ötztal Alps where he was found, he lived some 5,300 years ago in the Copper Age. With his extraordinarily preserved body and array of artefacts, he has provided unique insights into some of the mysteries of our collective past.

But just what is it that we have learned from Ötzi? What sort of life – and death – did he have? And what more might he have yet to tell us?

This is a Short History Of Ötzi the Iceman.

A Noiser podcast production. Hosted by John Hopkins. With thanks to Albert Zink, Director of the Bavarian State Collection for Anthropology, and previously Head of the Institute for Mummy Studies at Eurac Research in Bolzano, Italy.

Written by Dan Smith | Produced by Kate Simants | Production Assistant: Chris McDonald | Exec produced by Katrina Hughes | Sound supervisor: Matt Peaty | Sound design by Oliver Sanders | Assembly edit by Dorry Macaulay | Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink | Mix & mastering: Cody Reynolds-Shaw | Fact Check: Sean Coleman

Unlock the next two episodes of Short History Of… right now by subscribing to Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening and early access to shows across the Noiser podcast network, including Real Survival Stories and Sherlock Holmes Short Stories. Just click the subscription banner at the top of the feed, or head to www.noiser.com/subscriptions to get started.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices