Author Topic: Ozti's Arrows  (Read 9124 times)

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Offline JackCrafty

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Ozti's Arrows
« on: February 01, 2008, 04:12:59 pm »
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?

 :-\
Any critter tastes good with enough butter on it.

Patrick Blank
Midland, Texas
Youtube: JackCrafty, Allergic Hobbit, Patrick Blank

Where's Rock? Public Waterways, Road Cuts, Landscape Supply, Knap-Ins.
How to Cook It?  200° for 24hrs then 275° to 500° for 4hrs (depending on type), Cool for 12hr

Offline Pat B

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Re: Ozti's Arrows
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2008, 04:39:02 pm »
There is an exhibit at the Natural History Museum in Washington. I was there Thanksgivingweek and here are a few pics from their exhibit. You might be able to go to their website for more or better pics. These things are reproductions.     Pat

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Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline DanaM

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Re: Ozti's Arrows
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2008, 05:04:17 pm »
Bears a striking resemblence to ya Pat, an ancestor perhaps ;D
"Prosperity is a way of living and thinking, and not just money or things. Poverty is a way of living and thinking, and not just a lack of money or things."

Manistique, MI

Offline JackCrafty

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Re: Ozti's Arrows
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2008, 05:15:17 pm »
Pat, nice photos!

Looked up their website and searched for "Otzi"........got an article on tattooing throughout history.  Did a search for "ice-man" and zippo...nada.

Nice photos, though (yours, that is)..... ;D
Any critter tastes good with enough butter on it.

Patrick Blank
Midland, Texas
Youtube: JackCrafty, Allergic Hobbit, Patrick Blank

Where's Rock? Public Waterways, Road Cuts, Landscape Supply, Knap-Ins.
How to Cook It?  200° for 24hrs then 275° to 500° for 4hrs (depending on type), Cool for 12hr

Offline wolfsire

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Re: Ozti's Arrows
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2008, 05:26:35 pm »
fiddler49 has mas birch bark tar.  I think I read that the bar is boiled.


http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/14738/t/bubble-gum-for-hafting-arrow-heads.html
Steve in LV, NV

Offline Radon

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Re: Ozti's Arrows
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2008, 05:45:13 pm »
On this website is lots of information about Ötzis arrows: http://www.landschaftsmuseum.de/Seiten/Lexikon/Pfeil_Bogen-Oetzi.htm (unfortunately only in German )

It says about the arrows:
The quiver on which the covering hood and the carrying belt were missing, contained two finnished arrows and twleve raw shafts of 84 to 87 cm (33 1/2 - 34 3/4") length made from viburnum. The two arrowheads werde made from silex and fixed with birchtare and a threadwrapping to the shafts. One had a foreshaft from cornus. Of the radialfletching from three duckfeathers are still remains on the shafts.
Here's a pic:


Stefan
« Last Edit: February 01, 2008, 05:48:17 pm by Radon »
Dresden - Germany

Offline JackCrafty

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Re: Ozti's Arrows
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2008, 06:13:06 pm »
OK....looks like the grass is greener on the paleo side of the fence.....so I checked out Fiddler's birch tar.  Mystery solved.

Thanks Wolfsire!

Next:

Arrow length 34" (or there abouts)
Foreshaft of "cornus".  (Cornus is dogwood).
Three feather fletch, duck feathers (probably 4"-5" in length - also looks to be "spiral" wrapped)

Thanks Radon!

 :)
« Last Edit: February 01, 2008, 06:17:47 pm by jackcrafty »
Any critter tastes good with enough butter on it.

Patrick Blank
Midland, Texas
Youtube: JackCrafty, Allergic Hobbit, Patrick Blank

Where's Rock? Public Waterways, Road Cuts, Landscape Supply, Knap-Ins.
How to Cook It?  200° for 24hrs then 275° to 500° for 4hrs (depending on type), Cool for 12hr

zLego

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« Last Edit: February 02, 2008, 07:11:37 am by zLego »