Reading
A Prehistoric Murder Case
When they first pulled his frozen body from a glacier on the Italy-Austria border in 1991, after roughly 5,300 years in the ice, most experts thought the prehistoric hunter who came to be known as Otzi the Iceman had simply died of exposure. Then the news came two years ago that foul play was involved: an arrowhead found deep in his shoulder proved he had been shot from behind.
Now the plot is thickening. Scientists announced last week that the Iceman was almost certainly murdered by several attackers – but not before putting up quite a fight. Moreover, he probably had a friend with him when it happened.
That's at least a plausible explanation for several fresh clues that have emerged in the investigation at the South Tyrol Archaeology Museum in Bolzano, Italy. For one thing, a local medical examiner has determined that Otzi's body was bruised and his hand badly cut, suggesting a fight at close range. For another, DNA analysis reveals that one of the arrows in his quiver is stained with the blood of several other people, which indicates that he may well have shot his enemies and then retrieved the arrow.
And the friend? Someone else's blood left stains on the shoulders of Otzi's leather jacket in a pattern suggesting that the Iceman might have been supporting a wounded companion as they tried to escape.
It's not an airtight case: neither companion nor attackers have been found – not exactly a surprise in a case this old – and most of the conclusions are based half on science and half on educated guesses. But, it does make Otzi one of the most interesting mummies around.
Questions
Choose the best explanation for the following phrases from the text...
- "a plausible explanation" is one that:
- "the plot is thickening" means:
- "died of exposure" means, scientists thought Otzi:
- "an airtight case" means:
- "an educated guess" is a guess that is:
Are the following questions about the reading true or false?
1. The theory that Otzi was murdered by a group is based on the number of arrow wounds he received.
2. Scientists are highly confident that their new explanation of the facts is correct.
3. DNA tests show that Otzi was almost certainly killed instantly in the attack.
4. Evidence shows that Otzi may have killed people before as well.
5. Scientists now think that Otzi was murdered by his friends.