Tides of History

Two Murders at the Dawn of History (Lost Worlds Audiobook Preview)

Dec 18, 2025
Dive into the intriguing tales of two murder victims from 5,300 years ago—Ötzi the Iceman and Gebelein Man. Discover the secrets Ötzi's preserved body reveals about his life, diet, and the enigmatic circumstances surrounding his death. Explore Gebelein Man's fatal injury and its implications for ancient Egyptian society on the brink of kingship. Both stories connect us to a past rich with history, identity, and the evolution of civilizations. Mummies remind us of the lives and experiences of our ancient predecessors.
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INSIGHT

Bodies As Time Machines

  • Ötzi and Gebelein Man turn isolated prehistoric eras into vivid lived experiences by preserving soft tissue and belongings.
  • Their remains let Patrick Wyman reconstruct diet, injuries, tools, tattoos, and social context with rare precision.
ANECDOTE

The Alpine Murder

  • Ötzi died of an arrow that severed his subclavian artery high in the back while above 10,000 feet in the Alps.
  • His body, clothing, and stomach contents preserved in ice survived for over 5,000 years until 1991.
INSIGHT

A Life Read From A Body

  • Scientific analysis of Ötzi reveals age, health, tattoos, diet, wounds, and mobility across alpine valleys.
  • Artifacts trace long-distance connections, including Tuscan copper, showing extensive prehistoric trade and mobility.
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