Basic Facts
What is Ötzi’s full title on the site?
Ötzi the Iceman
What type of mummy is Ötzi described as on the site
Ötzi is described as a “wet mummy”
From what materials were Ötzi’s clothes made?
Clothing materials: hide, leather, braided grass
What is unique about Ötzi’s copper axe (in terms of preservation)?
Copper axe: the only preserved copper axe of its kind; its blade is ~99.7% pure copper
What cultural group is Ötzi thought to belong to
Cultural group: Tamins-Carasso-Isera 5 group is one assumption
Around how many years ago did Ötzi live?
He lived over 5,300 years ago
n life, how tall was Ötzi ?
Height in life: 5 foot 3 inches
How were his garments stitched together (what kinds of thread/fiber)?
Stitching: sewn with animal sinews, grass fibers, tree bast
From which region is the copper in the axe thought to come?
Copper source: copper is thought to come from Central Italy / South Tuscany.
What kinds of food were found in his stomach or clothing (plants / meats)
Diet / stomach contents: venison, chamois, grains (spelt), sloe (wild plum)
Where was Ötzi discovered (which glacier / valley)
He was discovered on a glacier in the Schnalstal / Val Senales Valley
What was Ötzi’s estimated weight when alive?
Weight: 110 pounds in life
What item apparently served as a rain protection or covering (though its exact use is debated)?
Rain protection or covering: a grass mat / grass cape
What kinds of weapons or hunting tools did Ötzi carry?
Weapons / hunting tools: bow, arrows, dagger, quiver
Why is it difficult to assign Ötzi to a specific cultural group from his era?
no pottery found on him, and few comparable materials in region
On what date was he discovered (day, month, year
Date of discovery: 19 September 1991
Name two health issues or physical evidence found in his body (parasites, disease, nails, etc.).
Health / body evidence: parasites (whipworm eggs), Lyme disease (borreliosis), two human fleas, worn teeth, fingernail grooves
Describe how his shoes were constructed (inner layer, outer layer, insulation, fastening)
Shoes: inner mesh of linden bark / padding of dry grass (insulation), outer deerskin, fur-facing inward soles, tied with raffia or strings.
What is the “retoucheur” tool (or what function did it have)?
Retoucheur: a tool used to retouch (sharpen or reshape) flint tools
What major change in human technology / society does the site say Ötzi’s era was part of
the arrival and use of copper / metal technology (start of Copper Age) from Asia Minor.
What altitude (in meters above sea level) was he found?
Altitude: 3,210 meters above sea level
What name did a journalist coin for Ötzi, and why that name?
Journalist name: “Ötzi,” coined by Karl Wendl, referencing the Ötztal Valley where he was found.
What small items were found in or sewn to his belt pouch?
Belt pouch items: tinder fungus, scraper, boring tool, bone awl, flint flake
Describe his backpack (what materials / structure survived).
Backpack: only parts survived — a U-shaped hazel rod and wooden boards; likely had hide sack.
Name one “mystery” or unanswered question the site mentions about Ötzi
Mystery / unanswered: cause of death / murder, his social role (leader? trader?), why his axe was not taken,