Items found with the iceman and how they enhance our knowledge and understanding of the man and the times in which he lived.

Not only was the iceman discovered in such a well preserved circumstance, but quite a few of his belongings were as well. It has been discerned that Otzi carried with him everything he needed to create weapons and begin a fire. His equipment allowed him to remain away from his home for long periods of time.

An astonishingly wide variety of woods were used to create the iceman's equipment, the most suitable material was selected for each item. Otzi carried a little flint-tipped dagger with a handle made of ash, a wood that is still used by artisans to make strong handles for tools today. The dagger had twin cutting edges, it had been found inside a finely braided sheath. It has been deduced that the dagger would have been used as a multipurpose tool, but often to skin animals, clean hides and cut meat into strips.

The dagger shows that ancient civilisations used materials thousands of years ago which modern civilisation use today. Also the discovery and analysis of Otzi's wooden weapons indicate that people of the late stone age had detailed knowledge of materials and were very advanced in this particular field.

Otzi's dagger.

Two pieces of birch fungus were also found with Otzi. It was discovered that the fungus actually contains antibacterial effect therefore it was concluded that the birch fungus was used as medicine. Analysis of Otzis stomach revealed that he had whipworm parasite in his stomach, which explained why he was carrying antibacterial medicine. The use of the medicine gives an insight of the medical understanding of the copper age civilians and revealed that they used Birch fungus as an antibiotic element.

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Birch fungus found with Otzi.

Bibliography links:
http://www.laughtergenealogy.com/bin/histprof/misc/iceman.html