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Perhaps he was shot with the arrow on the edge of a cliff and then fell down into/onto the glacier. The killer wasn't able to take his effects because they were

by oska 10y ago

Perhaps he was shot with the arrow on the edge of a cliff and then fell down into/onto the glacier. The killer wasn't able to take his effects because they were irretrievable from the place into which he fell.

aedron 10y ago
This seems by far the most likely reason. Few scenarios would explain why such valuable possessions were left alone. He had obviously been involved in an altercation with some controversy, otherwise he would have seeked treatment rather than go up into the mountains. So his slaying would not have been a secret that needed to be covered up, as this article posits as the reason for his belongings being untouched.
- eyko 10y ago
  "Inspector Horn reckons Ötzi was in no hurry. At 10,500 feet, he made what appeared to be a camp in a protected gully on the mountain saddle, spreading his belongings around and sitting down to his last meal." It seems the site where he was found was the actual camp site.
  - aedron 10y ago
    How do they determine that, though? All of the artifacts appear to be belongings that he would be carrying with him, as far as I can tell. Perhaps the location is inherently very accessible? But that could have changed over millennia (which might also explain why he turned up after so long).
    - eyko 10y ago
      Perhaps it's the way his belongings were scattered around - not like they fell from his hands after a fall but like he had put them down and camped. > Inspector Horn reckons Ötzi was in no hurry. At 10,500 feet, he made what appeared to be a camp in a protected gully on the mountain saddle, spreading his belongings around and sitting down to his last meal. Of course, it's also possible that his killer was the one who camped there after klling him, went through his belongings, and discarded the ones that were found. Although why would they leave his axe behind? At the very least I would've taken the bronze blade, from the axe.

by oska 10y ago

aedron 10y ago

This seems by far the most likely reason. Few scenarios would explain why such valuable possessions were left alone. He had obviously been involved in an altercation with some controversy, otherwise he would have seeked treatment rather than go up into the mountains. So his slaying would not have been a secret that needed to be covered up, as this article posits as the reason for his belongings being untouched.

eyko 10y ago
"Inspector Horn reckons Ötzi was in no hurry. At 10,500 feet, he made what appeared to be a camp in a protected gully on the mountain saddle, spreading his belongings around and sitting down to his last meal." It seems the site where he was found was the actual camp site.
- aedron 10y ago
  How do they determine that, though? All of the artifacts appear to be belongings that he would be carrying with him, as far as I can tell. Perhaps the location is inherently very accessible? But that could have changed over millennia (which might also explain why he turned up after so long).
  - eyko 10y ago
    Perhaps it's the way his belongings were scattered around - not like they fell from his hands after a fall but like he had put them down and camped. > Inspector Horn reckons Ötzi was in no hurry. At 10,500 feet, he made what appeared to be a camp in a protected gully on the mountain saddle, spreading his belongings around and sitting down to his last meal. Of course, it's also possible that his killer was the one who camped there after klling him, went through his belongings, and discarded the ones that were found. Although why would they leave his axe behind? At the very least I would've taken the bronze blade, from the axe.