The body was left partially extracted, partially in the ice, exposed to freezing and thawing conditions for several more days before a complete recovery could be accomplished.

By the time the mummy reached a proper scientific facility and archaeologists had confirmed its extraordinary age and significance, damage had been done.

The left hip was cracked.

Some of the objects associated with the body had been displaced from their original positions.

The grass cloak was damaged.

The bow, which had been lying near the body, was broken.

This damage is permanent.

The information that would have been contained in the precise original arrangement of the body and its associated objects — information that trained archaeologists can extract from undisturbed burial contexts — was partially lost in those first days.