Mummies: Who owns the dead?
diversity | enhance | migration | presume | reveal
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Do the Math
Do the Math
When hikers first found the Iceman, they presumed that the body was fresh. A subsequent scientific study revealed that he had died over 5,000 years earlier.
Studies of the Iceman’s body and clothing have enhanced our idea of what life was like long ago. Researchers learned about the diversity of his diet. Inside his stomach they found meat, grain, roots, and fruit. Researchers who study human migration were particularly interested in the Iceman’s shoes. His shoes were sturdy and good for walking.
Option 1:
Option 1:
The Iceman died about 5,300 years ago. Which letter represents the approximate time of his death?
A
B
C
D
Option 2:
Option 2:
Evidence from the Iceman’s teeth and bones suggests that he spent his life in a region that measures 37 miles across. An average person can walk at a rate of 3.5 miles per hour. How long would it take to walk from one end of the Iceman’s domain to the other?
Discussion Question:
Discussion Question:
Today, when someone dies, we presume that the family has rights to the body. Many families want bodies disposed of quickly and respectfully. Some people offer their bodies for scientific study. It is illegal to use a person’s body in this way without their consent. When an ancient mummy is discovered, we think about the body very differently. We know that studying ancient remains may reveal new information that will enhance scientific knowledge. Ancient mummies may tell us new things about the diversity of human experience, including where and how people migrated, what they ate, and how they lived. Is treating ancient mummies as scientific objects a form of disrespect? Or is the value to science more important? Or could we say that scientific study itself is a way of respecting our ancient ancestors?
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