The medical secrets of a 5,300-year-old mummy
Ötzi the Iceman, Europe's oldest naturally preserved human mummy, lived more than 5,000 years ago and appears to have carried a remarkable collection of natural remedies. Among his possessions were medicinal fungi with antiviral and antibacterial properties, leading researchers to describe them as one of the oldest known prehistoric medical kits.
Beyond his sophisticated weapons and survival gear, Ötzi's remains reveal surprisingly advanced health knowledge. Evidence suggests he used natural treatments for illness and pain, while many of his tattoos are located at points that closely match modern acupuncture sites, hinting at an early form of therapeutic medicine.
