What items were found with the Iceman, or to do with his body and how do they enhance our knowledge and understanding of the man and the times in which he lived?

Ötzi the Iceman was found with an assortment of artefacts such a copper axe, an animal skin quiver which contained arrow shafts, a small flit knife, a pouch with a flint scraper, yew bow and awl. His clothing included a belt, loincloth, goat-skin leggings (which can be seen here) bear-skin cap (here), outer cape, coat (made of woven grass) and moccasin-type shoes which were manufactured from deer and bear leather. The shoes were found to be filled with moss and grass, most likely for heat insulation and comfort.


The artefacts found with Ötzi prove that stone-age designs could be intricate as the backpack (with it's frame) looks almost modern. Tree fungus was also carried by Ötzi, and it is thought to have medicinal powers by people from that era. These evidence suggests that people belonging to the stone age era were sophisticated and well civilised than previously thought by scholars.


It is also unveiled that they cleverly used maple leaves to carry hot embers to start fires which alludes to the fact that they knew the use of many natural elements around them and Ötzi's culture was well versed in these survivalist type knowledge.

Picture courtesy here.

Scientists were shocked to find at least 59 markings on Ötzi's body, which are now known to clearly be tattoos. What is even more surprising is that these markings are on, or near typical acupuncture points for treating leg and back pain, which had led them to re-examine what they believed to have originated in China 2,000 - 3,000 years ago.


Ötzi's copper axe was also of much significance and surprise, as it was earlier thought that humans in Italy had only started learning the art of melting copper about 4,000 BC, hundreds of years after Ötzi's death.


Examination and investigation of the Iceman's intestine revealed hop hornbeam pollen which was incredibly preserved, and this find resulted in the conclusion that it had been consumed soon after the flowering of the plant, just before Ötzi fell to his unfortunate death. The hop hornbeam only flowers between March and June which led to the belief Ötzi had died in spring.


Scientific examination of Ötzi's stomach revealed he had quite a full stomach before death and did not die hungry. Possibly within an hour or two of his death Ötzi had eaten a big meal, mostly of the wild goat called ibex, and new scans demonstrates that the Iceman could have had a rich diet in animal products than researchers had thought. This evidence argues in contrast to the theories based around Ötzi's death, and it is suggested that if Ötzi had been on the run as he feared his death and had any form of enmity with other individuals or tribes, he would not have taken the time to stay and have a healthy full meal.


Also, newer examination of the ribs shows that they hadn't actually been fractured, as previously thought, but rather bent out of shape after death.