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Deposits of different origin in the lungs of the 5,300‐year‐old Tyrolean Iceman
Author(s) -
Pabst Maria A.,
Hofer Ferdinand
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-8644(199809)107:1<1::aid-ajpa1>3.0.co;2-r
Subject(s) - muscovite , plagioclase , mineral , illite , quartz , geochemistry , orthoclase , threshing , geology , mineralogy , archaeology , materials science , clay minerals , geography , metallurgy , paleontology
Deposits in the lung of the Late Neolithic Tyrolean Iceman were studied with a combination of different methods of analytical electron microscopy. Numerous anthracotic areas with plentiful inhaled soot particles were found in the lung; these most probably derived from open fires in houses. Between the soot particles tiny mineral crystals (mainly muscovite) were identified, which may indicate that the Tyrolean Iceman lived in a muscovite‐rich area. Furthermore, illite, quartz, and a plagioclase (andesine), which are also minerals in the crystalline rocks of the Ötztal Alps, were found. Additionally, organic material, which may represent inhaled threshing residues, was present in the anthracotic areas. As threshing residues and seeds in husk also were detected in the Iceman's belongings, some kind of rustic occupation seems probable. Outside of the anthracotic areas, vivianite and hydroxyapatite crystals were detected. Because of their separate location, and as vivianite is also described in the Iceman's skin, these minerals seem to have crystallized during his 5,300 years of storage in the high mountains. Am J Phys Anthropol 107:1–12, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.