His bones told additional stories.

Healed fractures in several ribs indicated he had survived significant trauma at some point in his life.

A healed fracture in his left hand, between the thumb and index finger, might suggest a hand-to-hand combat encounter.

The general state of his skeleton was consistent with a life of heavy physical labor — not surprising for a man of his era and environment.

But the most dramatic evidence about Ötzi’s final hours came not from his bones or his teeth.