The Ötzi DNA Project

Are you related to the famous glacier mummy?

In 2008, the mtDNA profile of Ötzi was published. He belongs to haplogroup K1f in the maternal line, but no close relatives from this line have been found so far. In 2010, the complete genome of the glacier mummy was analysed, and the results were recently presented for the first time in Bolzano. In the paternal line, Ötzi belongs to haplogroup G2a4, a small subgroup of haplogroup G, to which about 5% of all men in Europe belong today. G2a4 makes up only a small part of group G. In Sardinia, Corsica and South Tyrol, among other places, this subgroup is still somewhat more common today.

Search for relatives living today

In the current Ötzi DNA project, we are now looking for Ötzi's closest relatives living today. To participate in the project, order an iGENEA Premium or Expert test. If your mtDNA profile or Y-DNA half group matches the result of Ötzi, you will receive a free test extension.

Order DNA origin analysis

Tracing Ancestral Threads with iGENEA: My Connection to Ötzi the Iceman Revealed

Discover how my journey with iGENEA DNA testing led me to a mind-boggling revelation that I share ancestry with Ötzi, the 5300-year-old iceman, transforming my perception of my own identity and human connection. (P. Zenis)

I embarked on a unique journey with iGENEA which revealed the most incredible, mind-boggling facts about my ancestry. Displaying a high level of professionalism tinged with a warm, welcoming attitude, iGENEA made the DNA test process an enlightening experience. The crucial turning point of my journey was the realization that my DNA was connected to none other than Ötzi, the iceman.

As a history aficionado, I have always been intrigued by the roots that stretch out in time, shaping our identities. It was with this curiosity that I signed up for iGENEA's DNA testing services. Expecting a detailed analysis, iGENEA went beyond, offering me a true odyssey into the past.

The DNA kit arrived soon after I registered. It contained precise instructions that were easy to comprehend and execute. The procedure involved only a simple cheek swab which I sent back in the provided packaging. The speed at which the process was handled was impressive. No long waits filled with uncertainty and anticipation. Within weeks, I received an email alerting me of the test results' completion.

The results were presented via an easy-to-use interface that guided me through complex genetic information distilled for simplicity. It was not just about numbers or codes but a fascinating history of migration, adaptation, and resilience.

The highlight was the shock I got when I found out that I shared DNA with the famous Ötzi. Also known as the iceman, Ötzi lived around 3300 BC and his mummified remains were discovered in the Alps in 1991. Our shared heritage brought a rush of fascination, wonder, and a strange sense of communion. It was staggering for me to comprehend, revealing the vastness of human history and our connectedness therein.

My experience with iGENEA was not just about learning an abstract genetic code but discovering a part of myself hitherto unknown, bridging the gap between the past and present. I now carry the proud label of a descendent of Ötzi, complete with stories of the Ice Age to share. Thank you, iGENEA, for making this rare unearthing possible.

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Questions and answers about the DNA test

How long does a DNA origin analysis take?

After we have received the samples it normally takes 6 weeks for the fist results. Depending on the chosen test the result is thus already fully ready or further analysis are done.

How can I order a DNA origin analysis for someone else?

If you order and pay for a test set for somebody else online, the address of the other person under “Comments”. We will then send the collection kit to the address of this person. You can also place your order by phone or e-mail.

This is how the DNA origin analysis works

A Mucus Sample suffices to get a sample of your DNA. Taking the sample is simple and painless and can be done at home. Send the samples with the envelop included in the sampling kit.

Order test kit

Get test kit

Take samples

at home, simple and painless

Send in samples

with the enclosed envelope

Result

online after approx. 6-8 weeks