The totality of the animal imagery — in her tattoos, in her grave goods, in the carved figures on her coffin — which reflects intense engagement with the animal-spirit world that is central to shamanic traditions.

The counterarguments are also worth stating:

High status in nomadic steppe societies does not require a shamanic interpretation.

Elite women in various ancient cultures were given elaborate burials with significant grave goods.

The Ice Maiden’s burial can be explained by social rank without invoking spiritual specialization.

The elements cited as specifically shamanic (headdress, mirror, cannabis) have plausible non-shamanic explanations in this cultural context.

High headdresses were markers of elite status for women generally, not exclusively for shamans.