The Iceman’s body is covered with 61 tattoos. They have the form of groups of lines or crosses. Unlike modern tattooing methods, the tattoos were not produced with needles but by means of fine incisions into which charcoal was rubbed. Most of Ötzi’s tattoos are located on parts of his body that must have caused him pain during his lifetime due to degeneration or disease. The tattoos were therefore primarily intended as therapeutic measures rather than as symbols.