Hunter, Herder or Highwayman?
There are many theories about what Otzi's "job" was before his death. Remarkably, all these theories are based on the simple structures found with him. His main belongings found were:
The yew-wood bow. It is 1.82m tall and tests have shown that it can fire at prey up to 50m away. It was also capable of putting an arrow through a deer at 30m.
He also had a quiver full of arrows. However a majority of the arrows were unfinished, which raised many questions. With the arrowheads that were finished, archeologists were able to figure out that they were flit arrowheads that were fixed to a shaft with birch tar and then bound with thread.
He also had a quiver full of arrows. However a majority of the arrows were unfinished, which raised many questions. With the arrowheads that were finished, archeologists were able to figure out that they were flit arrowheads that were fixed to a shaft with birch tar and then bound with thread.
The Copper Axe.
Before the copper axe was found, it was believed that Otzi the Iceman belonged to the Stone Age due to his age. The discovery of his axe was revolutionary for the study of human evolution with the ages because it showed that people came out of the Stone Age sooner than thought. Now it is believed that Otzi was in a crossroads, with the world moving into the Copper Age; not quite reaching the Iron Age just yet.
Axes like these would have been difficult to find and also would probably have labelled the owner of them as someone of a high status. That status could be in battle, his community, or simply that it was stolen of it's original owner.
The Axe's handle was made from a branched piece of wood. The blade was made out of Copper which was bound to the handle with strong string. Wear marks on the blade show that despite it's looks, the axe was strong enough to chop down trees.
Before the copper axe was found, it was believed that Otzi the Iceman belonged to the Stone Age due to his age. The discovery of his axe was revolutionary for the study of human evolution with the ages because it showed that people came out of the Stone Age sooner than thought. Now it is believed that Otzi was in a crossroads, with the world moving into the Copper Age; not quite reaching the Iron Age just yet.
Axes like these would have been difficult to find and also would probably have labelled the owner of them as someone of a high status. That status could be in battle, his community, or simply that it was stolen of it's original owner.
The Axe's handle was made from a branched piece of wood. The blade was made out of Copper which was bound to the handle with strong string. Wear marks on the blade show that despite it's looks, the axe was strong enough to chop down trees.
Also found with Otzi were two Ibex bones and his trusty dagger.
The bones suggest Otzi's last meal, not out of the norm, however, no meat was found with the bones.
Amongst the pile, there were sharpening tools as well. They were possibly there to finish and sharpen his arrows or his dagger and axe. Their purpose is not currently known.
Birch fungus was also found in the pile. It was used as a means to cure simple illnesses such as colds and flues.
The bones suggest Otzi's last meal, not out of the norm, however, no meat was found with the bones.
Amongst the pile, there were sharpening tools as well. They were possibly there to finish and sharpen his arrows or his dagger and axe. Their purpose is not currently known.
Birch fungus was also found in the pile. It was used as a means to cure simple illnesses such as colds and flues.
Based on these findings, it has been theorised that Otzi the Iceman could have been a hunter, herder or a highway man; some 5000 years ago.
Modern forensic techniques have been able to determine that Otzi lived around 3350 BC. At the time Otzi was alive, not even the great pyramids of Egypt were built (nor was the Stonehenge). People across Europe lived in small scattered colonies all across the land in marshlands and forests; many people lived in communities of about 30-80 people. Although this was a turning point in human society when people started forming large urban communities in the Middle East, many people in Europe still stuck with their small groups. Many of these people scraped a living by farming and raising animals. There were also nomadic hunting groups, common to forests and the mountains/alps.
Otzi could be an old hunter, possibly killed due to some sort of treason or simply wondered into enemy territory after food. Discovered via the numerous scans done on the Iceman's body, Otzi had broken ribs which could have been caused by running away from something.
The Iceman was clever enough to discover a copper axe, despite the original theory that he was from the Stone Age. Did he make the copper axe? No lead pollution was found in his body, which contradicts frequent metal smithing; but copper residue was found in his hair.
What also intrigued people was that there was DNA evidence suggesting that four different types of blood was found on his body. There was also a deep cut on his thumb. These two key aspects hint at him being in a skirmish before dying.
The proper way of how Otzi died and how he lived his life is not known to anyone; despite the strong evidence of him being a fighter, there is no way to actually prove that he was one. An analysis of Otzi's brain tissue also shows that another cause of death was by a strong blow to the head.
Modern forensic techniques have been able to determine that Otzi lived around 3350 BC. At the time Otzi was alive, not even the great pyramids of Egypt were built (nor was the Stonehenge). People across Europe lived in small scattered colonies all across the land in marshlands and forests; many people lived in communities of about 30-80 people. Although this was a turning point in human society when people started forming large urban communities in the Middle East, many people in Europe still stuck with their small groups. Many of these people scraped a living by farming and raising animals. There were also nomadic hunting groups, common to forests and the mountains/alps.
Otzi could be an old hunter, possibly killed due to some sort of treason or simply wondered into enemy territory after food. Discovered via the numerous scans done on the Iceman's body, Otzi had broken ribs which could have been caused by running away from something.
The Iceman was clever enough to discover a copper axe, despite the original theory that he was from the Stone Age. Did he make the copper axe? No lead pollution was found in his body, which contradicts frequent metal smithing; but copper residue was found in his hair.
What also intrigued people was that there was DNA evidence suggesting that four different types of blood was found on his body. There was also a deep cut on his thumb. These two key aspects hint at him being in a skirmish before dying.
The proper way of how Otzi died and how he lived his life is not known to anyone; despite the strong evidence of him being a fighter, there is no way to actually prove that he was one. An analysis of Otzi's brain tissue also shows that another cause of death was by a strong blow to the head.
