Nov. 3, 2003 — Ötzi the Iceman, the world's oldest and best-preserved mummy, was born and grew up in Italy, according to geochemical evidence published in the journal Science.

In an extraordinary work of forensic geochemistry, a team of Australian, American and Swiss researchers tracked down the valley where the prehistoric man was born. The scientists also pinned down Ötzi's movements up to the moment he died in a glacier on the Italian-Austrian border.

Providing a unique window into the life of a 5,300-year-old man, the research focuses around specific chemical signals (isotopic values) in the Iceman's teeth and bones.

"We compared the radiogenic (strontium and lead) and stable (oxygen and carbon) isotope composition of the Iceman's teeth and bones, as well as Ar/Ar mica ages from his intestine, to local geology and hydrology, and we inferred his habitat and range from childhood to adult life," lead author Wolfgang Müller of the Australian National University in Canberra, wrote in Science.

Basically, oxygen isotopes provided evidence at where the Iceman drank water, while strontium isotopes in teeth and bones pointed to areas of distinct rock composition, narrowing the search. Finally, data from argon isotopes coming from detrital rocks in Ötzi's intestine — probably ingested with food or water — allowed the researchers to identify a specific area.

"The Iceman's origin can be restricted to a few valleys within (37 miles) south(east) of the discovery site," the researchers wrote.

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