Ötzi the Iceman gains digital twin for research
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Scientists in Italy created a detailed digital copy of Ötzi, a 5,300-year-old mummy held at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology.
Researchers combined 1,294 high-definition photographs of Ötzi’s exterior with data from a computed tomography scan of his interior to build the three-dimensional model. This digital twin has submillimeter resolution, allowing scientists to study the mummy without directly handling the fragile remains. The team published their work in the journal Heritage.
The digital reconstruction enables detailed examination of Ötzi’s body, including his tattoos, which researchers believe may have had a medicinal purpose. Ötzi, also known as the Iceman, was discovered frozen in the Alps in 1991. He provides valuable insight into Copper Age life in Europe. The digital copy will allow researchers to continue studying Ötzi for years to come, potentially revealing new information about his life and death.
