When I did a search on this forum for "Otzi" I only found two posts.....and the "ice-man" and his equipment aren't even discussed.
(maybe I should look into back issues of PA?)
Anyway, I'm curious to see what you guys know about Otzi's arrows. Here is what I've learned (from internet articles):
- Viburnum arrows with "mystery" wood (or bone?) foreshafts.
- Flint points....small, leaf-shaped (?).
- Birch tar glue for fletching and points......(anyone know where to get or how to make this stuff???)
- Nock dimmensions: 4mm x 12mm deep.
- Total length (I think this was mentioned...but I can't remember)
That's it. Seems like there would be a lot more info....such as:
- Weight of arrows?
- Tapered, barrelled, or parallel shafts? (they seem to be barrelled in the pictures I've seen)
- Diameters? (I think there was an article with these dimensions....but I don't have my notes right now)
- Painted? Waxed?...what kind of finish?
- Where was the blood on the arrows? Tips only? Near the base (where it would be held by a bloody hand)?
- Smooth shafts? Bite marks? Channels or grooves?
- Length of fletching? Type of feather? Two, three or four fletch?
- Sinew, cord, gut, or rawhide wrappings?
- Evidence of fire hardening of the shafts/foreshafts?
- Evidence of heat treated flint?
- Evidence of copper residue on arrowhead (indicating copper knapping tool)?
- Do the arrows match each other closely in weight? (this might not be possible to measure due to deterioration)
- Arrowhead slots lined up with nock?
And what about his quiver? I've seen a couple pictures and it looks like a soft leather case with a wood rod stiffener and a very narrow carrying strap?
