Discovered on September the 19th 1991, Otzi the Iceman is Europe’s oldest preserved mummy, living around the time of 3,300 BCE. Discovered in a deep, cold place in the Otzal Alps, Otzi had been discovered by 2 hikers, where Otzi was in a melting glacier. One theory suggests that Otzi had hiked up to the mountains after battling in conflict, where Otzi tried to find some rest, but hypothermia had found him instead.
With Otzi was some magnificent equipment and high quality clothing that represent his time, a hide coat, loincloth, bearskin cap, leggings, shoes, belt, pouch, axe, dagger, bow, quiver, arrows, backpack, net, containers and a first aid kit.
Clothing like the hide coat, loin cloth, bearskin cap, leggings and shoes (the oldest kind in the world) represent Otzi’s good quality life, where Otzi was prepared, warm and had a vast knowledge of survival. Equipment like the copper bladed axe, a bow, quiver and arrow, backpack, net and first aid kit indicate Otzi’s handiwork, lifestyle and weapons ready for survival and conflict.
About two feet long, the copper axe was made from a portion of the trunk of a yew tree, with the handle coming from the trunk, and the shaft came from the branch, and the copper blade fitted in by a leather binding, allowing maximum durability.
The Iceman’s dagger and sheath (made by the inner bark of a lime tree) was around 5 inches long, with its flint blade resembling an arrowhead, connecting to the wooden handle. However, the handle was split when the blade was attached, so sinew was used to tie it securely together.
The Iceman had carried a 1.82m long bow covered in blood, where it was created from the trunk of a yew tree. It’s adjoining quiver and arrows found nearby the discovery site. The quiver also included animal sinews, tree bast string, antler tip and stag antlers. Only 2 arrows were finished, and a dozen arrow shafts were also found.
A backpack containing the Iceman’s possessions (first aid kit, net) was made out of wood, bound together by grass string, where a hide sack was also attached. The net was used to catch birds and rabbits, where rabbit would be driven into the net before being clubbed to death. Otzi’s first aid kit included two hide strips, onto each of a round lump of threaded fruiting body of fungus.
Otzi’s coat was made of goat, where it is cross stitched after tanning, and was worn fur side out. His loincloth made of leather was also made from goat, where it was also cross stitched together, but with twisted sinews. It would be worn and fastened at the waist with a belt, a belt made out of calf’s leather. His belt pouch was also leather, used to store flint tools. His bearskin cap was used to warm the Iceman’s head, with two leather straps attached to keep the cap in place. His leggings were also made from goat, also stitched together with sinew, covering only the thigh and calf. The leggings and shoes were the oldest of their kind ever found, with his shoes having a sophisticated design consisting of an inner and outer part, composing of grass netting and deerskin.