Ötzi The Iceman In September 1991, two hikers exploring the Otztal Alps discovered a corpse buried in the ice. When rescue teams collected the evidence, it became clear that these were not the unfortunate remains of a modern climber, but of a 5,300-year-old iceman. Ötzi, or “Frozen Fritz” as he is sometimes called, lived around 3300 BC and is Europe’s oldest natural human mummy.
He represents an excellent example of the surprising technological prowess of copper age humans. Surrounded by his gear, the 5300 year old “Iceman” was much better equipped than most modern tourists are for their Alpine hikes. He had a copper axe, a bow and arrow, a knife, snowshoes, some antibacterial mushrooms, and a what appears to have been a complex firestarting kit including “tinder fungus,” a mushroom that bursts into flame when struck with sparks.
He represents an excellent example of the surprising technological prowess of copper age humans. Surrounded by his gear, the 5300 year old “Iceman” was much better equipped than most modern tourists are for their Alpine hikes. He had a copper axe, a bow and arrow, a knife, snowshoes, some antibacterial mushrooms, and a what appears to have been a complex firestarting kit including “tinder fungus,” a mushroom that bursts into flame when struck with sparks.
