The Ice Man Dreameth

I recently re-watched an episode of Star Trek: Voyager called "Emanations" (S1E8), in which an expedition investigates an alien moon in the hope of finding useful raw materials. Instead, they find a multitude of lifeless bodies, each wrapped in a white net, scattered throughout an extensive cave system.

S1E8 of Star Trek Voyager. (1)

Commander Chakotay investigates a mass grave. (2)

One of the cadets examines the body more closely, but is soon rebuked by the expedition leader, Commander Chakotay, who points out that these are possibly ritual burials, and if so, must be respected at all costs. Only a very superficial medical scan is accepted, which leads to arguments, as the cadets believe that further investigation may provide more information about the mysterious situation.

 

The Commander together with questioning colleagues. (3)

However, the decision stands: the bodies and the site are to be left untouched. Because if it is a sacred ritual, the most important thing is that reverence is shown. If the price is a few unanswered questions, so be it.

Far from being the créme-de-la-créme of Voyager-episodes, it still is one of the early seasons more memorable ones climaxing in a classic Trekkian dilemma of "interfer vs. not to interfer" in the crude customs of an alien culture. However, it is the opening scenario that brought to life some old thoughts of mine concerning a famous case that for years has been nagging at the back of my mind.

British colonizers with plundered goods from the invasion
of the Kingdom of Benin (Nigeria). Late 19th century. (4)

Massive quantities of such objects are housed in museums worldwide. In fact, the majority of all historical exhibits are looted goods; seized by colonizers, foreign military and local talent for glory and money [LINK].

But not everything on display at our beloved institutions consists of pottery and talismans, the remains of the dead have often met the same fate.

It was in the fall of 1991, when two German hikers stumbled upon a human body sticking out of a thawed glacier in the mountainous area between Austria and Italy. The Iceman, later named Ötzi, was initially suspected of being a dead mountaineer, but as soon after further investigations it could be established that he was of an prehistoric origin, several thousands years old, causing a world wide sensation.

 

1991, Ötzi's remains are discovered. (5)

In the years that followed Ötzi was subject of intense research. Not only was there still flesh to his bones, but he was also accompanied by clothing and various unusual objects. The body has been dated to around 3200 BC, making it the oldest naturally preserved mummy ever. Further investigation has convinced many that he was a shaman, as a number of dried herbs and a ceremonial axe were found among his possessions.

By far the most interesting aspect of him are his 57 tattoos - dots and lines scattered across his body. Their seemingly inconsistent nature has found its logic upon closer investigation, which has shown them to correspond to acupuncture points.

Ötzi's tattoos. (6)

Diagram of the locations of the tattoos. (7)

This fact that has been recognized, though largely ignored. Because according to the sanctioned historical narrative the European Bronze Age man didn't have any contact with East-Asian culture.

Moreover, the oldest Chinese writings mentioning acupuncture date back to 200 BC (though I'm sure Chinese historians consider the practice to be much more ancient), thus more than doubling its age, as well as casting doubt on its origins [LINK].

This and more is of course valuable information that has given an exceedingly rare insight into our past; and we should, of course, know better than not to appreciate such. 

In addition, it must be taken into account that, at the time of discovery, we were in a cultural framework dominated by strict material- and scientism.

What is done is done.

 

If you pay an admission you can look at his remains in a museum freezer.
When does the respect for the dead end? (8)

Now, however, I would like to return to the position of Commander Chakotay. Even though we're not dealing with a ritual burial of any sorts, it certainly concerns a holy man, and one of our cultural ancestors; who for the last 5000 years has been part of the dreaming of a mountain; the sleeping shaman of the glaciers.

This odic union seized 30 years ago when he was tragically degraded to an academic study. 

As if that wasn't bad enough, he currently plays the main role in "Ötzi - The tourist trap"; or, the dreaming of the boomer besserwisser.

The collapse of the West, 2020s. By JaySimons. (9)

We are currently experiencing the dying breaths of the age of spiritual decay. Like many others, I interpret it as the breaking down of Western imperialism; a power that has brought material abundance to a precarious minority at the expense of the health, sanity and soul of humanity.

A worldview, built on a paradigm that has reduced reality to measurable particles - valued solely in terms of the dollar-and-deutschmark mirage. This particular lens has been in service for the last three to four hundred years now. With a steady ramping up in the last few decades.

One need only to look out of the window to see how it's fairing (or in this case: through a small freezer glass).

The site of the discovery is basically an empty tomb.
Is the reverence for the splendors of time something mythical, or just a myth? (10)

It's high time we facilitate the healing process of this 400 year old trauma. Let us honor the Iceman for the years he has served our infantile minds, by freeing him from our dull spell, and return him to the rocky bed where he belongs; reunited with the dreaming of the Mountain.

Sooner or later we will have to pick up the pieces of what's left our culture's dignity. 

The lesser they are, the better.

References:

i)https://www.theverge.com/2013/5/13/4326306/museum-artifacts-looted-repatriation
ii)https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/what-otzi-icemans-tattoos-reveal-about-copper-age-medical-practices-180970244/
iii)https://www.news-medical.net/health/Acupuncture-History.aspx

Pictures:
1-3, Screenshots from the Star Trek Voyager-episode.
4, https://www.bansoro.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bedddd-992x1024.jpg
5, https://www.nationalgeographic.de/geschichte-und-kultur/2019/11/forscher-rekonstruieren-oetzis-fieberhaften-letzten-aufstieg?gallery=40882&image=01-otzi-iceman-moss
6, https://cdn.prod.www.spiegel.de/images/d31be586-0001-0004-0000-000000804817_w616_r1.165954139137194_fpx54.87_fpy49.99.jpg
7,https://i.imgur.com/RoxasHl.jpeg
8,https://www.br.de/berge/sonstiges/sonderaustellung-20Jahre-oetzi100.html
9, https://www.deviantart.com/jaysimons/art/Collapse-of-the-Modern-Civilization-355449519
10, https://img3.oastatic.com/img2/51039664/max/oetzi-fundstelle.jpg