‘Signs of Life’ Discovered by Scientists Inside Ancient 5,300-Year-Old Mummy

A mummy that’s been frozen in time for more than 5,300 years may not be as lifeless as scientists once believed.

Researchers studying Ötzi the Iceman recently discovered traces of ancient microbes still lingering within the prehistoric remains, according to news agency SWNS, per Fox News. Scientists, who published their findings in the journal Microbiome, believe that some of the microorganisms may have survived in a dormant state for thousands of years.

It’s believed that Ötzi was between 25 and 35 years old when he died and had a height of approximately 5 feet 2 inches. While scientists originally thought he had died after succumbing to the elements or of exhaustion while crossing the Alps, they later discovered he had an arrow lodged in his left shoulder. They now believe he likely bled to death.

The information in the study centers on Ötzi, a mummy discovered by a tourist in an Alpine glacier in 1991. Scientists estimate that he died around 3300 B.C., which makes him older than both Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids. However, researchers say his remains continue to offer new clues about the very distant past.

According to the study, researchers at Eurac Research found that Ötzi’s remains still contain both ancient and modern microorganisms, including genetic traces of bacteria linked to his gut microbiome, as well as cold-adapted yeast species they believe to have originated from the glacial environment where his body was preserved for centuries.

Scientists were also able to distinguish between microorganisms that were present while Ötzi was alive and those that appeared on his body after death.

Researchers said some of the microorganisms may still exist in a dormant state despite the fact that more than 5,300 years have passed since Ötzi died.

“Ötzi therefore offers a rare glimpse into humanity’s microbial past,” the researchers said in a statement, per Fox News.

They also noted that some of the gut bacteria found in Ötzi are not commonly found in modern humans, giving scientists a rare look at ancient microbial communities.

However, there’s still much more to learn, and conservation expert Marco Samadelli said the “conditions are not yet fully understood.”