The provincial government of Bolzano in northern Italy, where Oetzi is a star tourist attraction, says it is considering its response.

BBC: |mage: South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology

The 5, 300-year-old mummy known as Oetzi, which is the star attraction at the museum in Bolzano, northern Italy, draws some 300, 000 visitors each year.

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But while Oetzi was feted by the provincial government in Bolzano, who built a special museum for him, the Simons felt they were unfairly treated.

BBC: |mage: South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology

After several years of court proceedings, Helmut Simon was recently recognised as Oetzi's official discoverer - a move which opens up the possibility of a finder's fee.

BBC: |mage: South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology