solve the CHAPTER MYSTERY

STONE AGE STORYTELLERS

Iceman's story is continually evolving as additional evidence is analyzed. But so far, the plants found with him have revealed a lot. The abundance of chlorophyll in the maple leaves and the species of pollen in his digestive tract both point to a death in late spring. Distinct layers of pollen in his digestive tract suggest that Iceman changed his elevation quite dramatically several times on his final day.

The unfinished bow suggests that Iceman's journey into the mountains was unplanned. Perhaps he was fleeing an enemy? In fact, several years after the bow was found a CT scan of Iceman revealed a stone arrowhead lodged beneath his left shoulder blade and the large gash that the arrowhead left in a major artery.

And what of his society? The primitive wheat in his digestive tract and other intact grains found on his clothes suggest that Iceman's society practiced an early form of agriculture.

1. Apply Concepts A clump of moss was also found with Iceman's possessions. Some scientists hypothesize that Iceman used the moss like we use tissues or paper towels today. What property of moss would allow this function? Why is this adaptation necessary for mosses? Hint: What kind of tissue do they lack that other land plants have?

2. Communicate Write a letter to a friend summarizing the information provided by plant evidence found with Iceman.

3. Connect to the Pollen and seeds are the most reliable plant-related evidence at archeological sites and at modern-day crime scenes because they are long-lasting. Relate this quality to their structure and function in living plants.