The tattoos were described in appropriately dramatic terms.

The mystery of who she was and what her life involved was presented as a puzzle to be solved.

Some of the popular coverage went further into territory that the evidence does not support.

The “cursed tomb” narrative — the idea that misfortunes in the Altai region were connected to the disturbance of the Ice Maiden’s burial — was presented in some coverage with more credence than sober evaluation warranted.

The earthquake of 2003 was connected to the Ice Maiden’s removal in ways that blurred the line between reporting on community belief and endorsing supernatural causation.