Death Theory #4: Ritual sacrifice
- Otzi's arrows in his quiver were broken. Societies back then were known for breaking items in ritual ceremonies. Were his arrows broken in a ritual killing?
- Otzi had a very valuable item left with him: his axe. Why was it not stolen? Could it have been placed with his body during a ritual killing? Was it a gift to serve him in the afterlife? Otzi's possessions were carefully arranged on a nearby ledge. Were these arranged as a part of a ritual killing?
- The tattoos could have been placed on his body to prepare it for sacrifice. Was he the sacrifice of the community to appease the gods?
- Otzi's body was found at a summit, a place with beautiful landscape. Landscape has always had a part in ritual sacrifices. Was it a coincidence that Otzi was at that particular point on the mountain?
- Otzi had on twine-and-grass shoes, which were not practical for hiking in the mountains. He was carried there.