Virtual expedition: 350-year-old glacier mummy fascinatingly rediscovered!

Virtual expedition: 350-year-old glacier mummy fascinatingly rediscovered!

The Innsbruck University project “The Bird from the Ice” opens up new perspectives in interdisciplinary research. This innovative project that combines science and virtual reality was presented on May 28, 2025. The aim is to enable interactive expeditions in a virtual reality environment that extends to an altitude of 3,000 meters in the Ötztal Alps.

The focus of the project is the glacier mummy of a purple heron (Ardea purpura), which died in the Gurgler Ferner more than 350 years ago. This mummy, discovered in 2015, provides valuable insights into the history and environmental conditions of past times through state-of-the-art research techniques, including micro-CT, MRI and histological analysis. The state of Tyrol supported the project with 60,665 euros, which underlines the importance and commitment to processing and researching such extraordinary finds.

Interactive expedition and technology use

The Tyrolean XR company MEDIASQUAD has developed the virtual environment that allows users to immerse themselves in the exciting world of the glacier mummy. Participants can not only view the mummy interactively and in three dimensions, but also experience virtual preservation processes and understand research steps. This takes the form of a digital autopsy, which is supplemented by an accompanying questionnaire on didactic effectiveness.

The use of extended reality (XR) is considered a key technology for the future of medicine. Johannes Pallua, the project leader and expert in medical imaging, emphasizes the relevance of these technologies, especially for orthopedic-traumatological research approaches. Virtual models offer the opportunity to simulate and research complex orthopedic procedures.

Significance of the glacier mummies

Not only do glacier mummies provide interesting historical insights, they also show how climate change and glacier melt are bringing extraordinary finds to light. The importance of such finds for understanding environmental conditions and lifestyles in the past cannot be overestimated. The project particularly appeals to students and researchers from the fields of archaeology, biology and medicine.

Public appointments for the virtual expedition are offered, but registration is required. This initiative is a powerful example of how innovative technologies such as virtual reality can be integrated into scientific research and open up new avenues for understanding our history. Further information can be found on the University of Innsbruck and Tyrol websites: University of Innsbruck and Tyrol there.