Ötzi, also known as the Iceman, is one of the most remarkable and well-preserved mummies ever discovered in Europe.  Found in 1991 in the Ötztal Alps on the border between Austria and Italy, his remains date back over 5,000 years to around 3400–3100 BC. After his death, the body became naturally mummified in the glacial ice, preserving both his physical form and the items around him. This extraordinary preservation has provided an invaluable glimpse into the life of a man from the late Neolithic or Copper Age.

The recovery of Ötzi’s body revealed a wealth of belongings that offer insight into his daily life and survival skills. Among the items found were leather and fur garments, including a coat, trousers, shoes, and a bearskin cap. He also carried a copper axe, a flint dagger, a bow with arrows, and a quiver, suggesting that he was prepared for both hunting and defense. Additional finds included a primitive backpack and birch bark containers containing traces of plant material and charcoal. These discoveries paint a picture of a skilled and resourceful individual.
Examinations of Ötzi’s body revealed fascinating details about his life and death. His stomach contained traces of grains, plants, and meat, revealing his diet. He also had 61 tattoos, made by incising the skin and rubbing powdered charcoal into the cuts. However, further investigations into his death uncovered that he likely succumbed to an arrow wound. X-rays revealed an arrowhead lodged in his left shoulder, which caused significant damage. It is believed that the arrow wound, along with a head injury, contributed to his death, possibly following a violent encounter. Today, Ötzi’s body and his belongings are on display at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy, offering an unparalleled window into the distant past.