jääkehade

Jääkeha is a Finnish term that translates to "ice body" or "frozen body." It generally refers to a human corpse that has been preserved by freezing, often found in environments with consistently low temperatures such as glaciers or permafrost. These discoveries can be of significant scientific interest, offering insights into past human life, health, and environmental conditions.

The preservation quality of a jääkeha can vary greatly depending on the circumstances of its freezing. Factors such as the speed of freezing, the presence of protective layers of ice or sediment, and the duration of preservation all play a role in how intact the body remains. In some cases, soft tissues, organs, and even clothing can be remarkably well-preserved, allowing for detailed study through methods like CT scans and DNA analysis.

One of the most famous examples of a jääkeha is Ötzi the Iceman, discovered in the Ötztal Alps in 1991. Ötzi's exceptionally well-preserved remains provided an unprecedented look into the Copper Age, revealing information about his diet, health, tools, and even his cause of death. Discoveries like Ötzi underscore the scientific value of these frozen remnants of history, serving as natural time capsules. The study of jääkeha contributes to fields such as archaeology, anthropology, paleopathology, and climatology.