The oldest European mummy ever found wore a stylish fur hat made from brown bear pelt, as well as a range of other garments, scientists have said.
The 5,300 year hunter known as Otzi the Iceman, who was found in the Tyrollean Alps, also had an arrow quiver made of roe deer leather, and other clothes made out of domesticated sheep, cattle and goats, according to the new research.
Otzi’s body has been extensively studied since it was found encased in a glacier in 1991. He is seen as a unique way of gaining an insight into the world of ancient humans – in the past, he has been shown to have had the oldest tattoos ever found, and given clues about the life of our long-dead family.
The latest research came from scientists led by Niall O'Sullivan at the European Academy of Bozano, Italy, and is reported in the journal Scientific Reports.
Using genetic analysis, scientists found that Otzi’s hat and quiver came from two wild species, a brown bear and roe deer. His coat was made up of a stitched-together patchwork of at least four hides from goat and sheep.
He also wore special leggings made out of goat leather.
The scientists wrote: "The iceman's garments and quiver are from an assemblage of at least five different species of animal.
"The coat alone was a combination of at least four hides and two species: goat and sheep.
"This result may indicate a haphazard stitching together of clothing based upon materials that were available to the iceman."
