Ötzi, Schnidi and the Reindeer Hunters: Ice Patch Archaeology and Holocene Climate Change

Lenk, Schnidejoch and comparable sites in the Alps, Scandinavia and North America.

21 and 22 August 2008, University of Bern

Objectives of the conference

Melting glaciers and ice fields in the Swiss Alps have uncovered spectacular archaeological finds that have been in the ice for thousands of years. Besides the well-known and unique "Ötzi" in the Eastern Alps, comparable discoveries have recently been made also in Scandinavia and Alaska. What did prehistoric people do in the high mountains? Where did they come from? How did they use the resources and the environment? And what do these finds tell us regarding past, current and future climate change?

Organisers

• Albert Hafner, Archaeological Service of the Canton of Bern (ADB)
• Mathias Trachsel, Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research (OCCR), University of Bern
• Samuel Nussbaumer, Institute of Geography & OCCR, University of Bern
• Martin Grosjean, OCCR, University of Bern

Programme

download (pdf, 219 kB)

Press release (21 Aug 2008)

in German
in French
Photos

Press coverage

Älter als Ötzi: Die Funde am Schnidejoch, DRS 2, Wissenschaft (in German, mp3, 4 MB)
Schweizer Radio, 30. August 2008

Alpine melt reveals ancient life
BBC News, 24 August 2008

1000 Jahre älter als Gletscherleiche Ötzi (in German)
Der Bund, 22. August 2008

Funde vom Schnidejoch sind sehr alt (in German, Flashvideo)
10vor10, 21. August 2008

Funde am Schnidejoch älter als Ötzi (in German)
20 Minuten, 21. August 2008

Frühgeschichtliche Funde am Schnidejoch 1000 Jahre älter als Ötzi (in German)
Schweizerische Depeschenagentur, 21. August 2008

New details emerge about Neolithic age in Alps
Swissinfo, 21 August 2008

1000 Jahre älter als Ötzi (in German)
Swissinfo, 21. August 2008

Contact

Martin Grosjean, Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Zähringerstrasse 25, 3012 Bern, martin.grosjean@oeschger.unibe.ch

University of Bern | Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research | Zähringerstrasse 25 | CH-3012 Bern | info@oeschger.unibe.ch | Tel +41 31 631 31 45 | Fax +41 31 631 43 38