PLACE OF FINDING OF THE ICEMAN

On 19 September 1991 two German tourists found by chance a mummified corpse in the ice of the Similaun glacier at the Hauslabjoch mountain. "Ötzi", the iceman, was found at an altitude of 3,200m and is the most ancient finding of a European hunter.

By means of radiocarbon dating it was proven that the finding dates to the chalcolithic period of the southern Alpine region. Some 5000 years ago the man left the Vintschgau area in the Italian Tirol for the mountains. Pollen analysis showed that the back of the Ötztal valley was already typical pastureland some 6000 years ago.

The dead man carried a bow (not drawn) made from yew, a coated quiver filled with 14 arrows, instruments made of bone, arrowheads made from antlers of red deer and wrapped in bast, a flint knife with a flint blade, copper arrows and a back carrier; also found were food residues of animal origin.

Getting there: from Vent (1,900m) through the Niedertal valley to the Similaunhütte hut (3,019m - 4.5 hours walking time). The last half hour leads past the Niederjoch Ferner glacier - please do not leave the trail.

From the Similaunhütte hut leads a trail along the ridge to the finding site (3,200m - 1 hour walking time).

Equipment: ankle-high hiking boots with a good profile, rain and sun protection, warm clothes.